On 21st December 2012 (Cairns time) nurses from the United Kingdom and Australia came together on Twitter using the #WeNurses hashtag. The planned Twitter chat was used to discuss issues raised by the much-publicised death of a nursing colleague – Jacintha Saldanha.
This curated version of the Twitter chat demonstrates nurses using social media in a constructive manner, and responding to the issues surrounding Jacintha’s passing with thoughtfulness and grace. This was in sharp contrast to the shrill, insensitive and ill-informed way the matter was discussed elsewhere on social media and in mainstream media in the UK and Australia.
I’ve used sub-headings in red to structure the chat as per the themes that emerged.
WordCloud created from the full transcript of the #WeNurses Twitter chat
Preliminary Information.
1.
1 hr until tonights joint UK / AUS #WeNurses chat – a sensitive subject tonight that we are hoping to learn from > http://t.co/3GRJMsuW
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
2.
With a few minutes to go before tonights #WeNurses here is a reminder of the NMC social networking guidelines http://t.co/Hq7cvczB
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
Introductions.
3.
Hello and welcome to both UK and Australian nurses – please say hi if you are out there #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
4.
Good morning Aussies/Good evening Brits. I’m Paul, an RN from Cairns (small city in Australia’s tropical north) #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
5.
@meta4RN Hi Paul – thanks to you and @razdy for suggesting this chat #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
6.
Hi, it’s Sal here in Leicester #wenurses
— Sally Wilson (@salsa442) December 20, 2012
7.
Hi there Teresa here #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
8.
Hi #WeNurses 🙂 student nurse studying at Nottingham uni
— Natasha McVey (@XMcVey) December 20, 2012
9.
Hi – Angie from Leeds #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
10.
Hi #nursecommunity Michelle here from Oldham #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
11.
@WeNurses #wenurses I’m on my break at work but will catch up with summary tomorrow. 🙂
— Sarah Coates (@SarahJCoates) December 20, 2012
12.
@WeNurses Tom here from scotland #wenurses
— thomas cartner (@bunnet501JFT96) December 20, 2012
13.
#wenurses Dave in Swansea on this cold damp dark evening.
— David Barton (@Bartontd) December 20, 2012
Setting The Tone.
14.
Hi All – tonight we are talking about the recent news events that have affected both UK & Australian Nurses #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
15.
before we start just a quick reminder that these are sensitive issues & this chat is not about blame but about how we can learn #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
16.
Part of being sensitive, especially to Jacintha’s family, friends & workmates, is to make sure we discuss the issues, not Jacintha #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
Communication and Confidentiality.
17.
One of the 1st issues that was raised was use of the phone for communicating with relatives … how do people feel about this ? #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
18.
Using the ‘phone is really hard unless you know the person you’re speaking to, but it’s necessary to keep people in touch #wenurses
— Sally Wilson (@salsa442) December 20, 2012
19.
@WeNurses Surely the method of communication is what is best for patients and relatives? #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
20.
@WeNurses I think telephone information should be limited & basic. Unsure of who is at the other end! #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
21.
@salsa442 I agree it is tricky … I tend not to say much over the phone unless I know them well #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
22.
@AgencyNurse Same goes, but it can frustrate carers and relatives #wenurses
— Sally Wilson (@salsa442) December 20, 2012
23.
Sometimes, particularly with elderly relatives, the phone is the only way they can find out what is happening #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
24.
Patient choice on admission should infom nurses of preferred communication method and to whom info should be discussed with #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
25.
@AgencyNurse @samabdulla Give minimal info over the phone at all times. It’s drummed into you in your training. #wenurses
— thomas cartner (@bunnet501JFT96) December 20, 2012
26.
@AgencyNurse only relatives or other professionals too? #wenurses
— sam abdulla (@samabdulla) December 20, 2012
27.
@samabdulla Important point – you never know who is on the line really …. Unless you know them #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
28.
A nurse can still offer info/reassurance without breaking confidentiality, eg “We’re happy with Mr Blog’s progress. Are you?” #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
29.
@meta4RN But sometimes more is needed. When my Gran was dying, I was hundreds of miles away. #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
30.
@meta4RN – I agree limited info, but meaningful and not going into too much detail #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
31.
Let’s not adopt the language of news reports: “Condition serious, but stable”. We can be warmer than that. #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
32.
“@meta4RN: Let’s not adopt the language of news reports: “Condition serious, but stable”. We can be warmer than that. #WeNurses”<agreed
— Sally Wilson (@salsa442) December 20, 2012
33.
@leggeangie maybe the way round is to ring the person to update rather than them ringing the ward. confirms identity better ? #WeNurses
— Natasha McVey (@XMcVey) December 20, 2012
34.
@XMcVey Possibly – but potentially raises costs for NHS. #WeNurses. I am concerned about a knee jerk reaction which doesn’t help family
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
35.
@leggeangie i totally agree a knee jerk reaction is definitely not what we want #WeNurses
— Natasha McVey (@XMcVey) December 20, 2012
36.
Interesting discussions going on #WeNurses about the conflicts related to communicating with patient’s relatives over the phone #challenging
— Sophie Taylor (@SCITaylor) December 20, 2012
37.
@SCITaylor #wenurses So true
— Big D (@DavidForey) December 20, 2012
Mobile Phones.
38.
Communication with relatives has changed in recent years: most often the patient has a mobile phone so can SMS/talk directly #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
39.
So, if the patient can pass-on their perceptions of care directly, the nurse’s role in communicating with family = listening #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
40.
@salsa442 Yes agree – @meta4rn raises an interesting point …. Get the pt to talk to their own relatives on the phone #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
41.
@AgencyNurse @meta4rn Brilliant, ward phones should be wireless #wenurses
— Sally Wilson (@salsa442) December 20, 2012
42.
great if patients have their own mobile phones now to comm with families and friends #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
43.
@michellemellor3 @meta4rn plus it’s good to talk 😉 #wenurses
— sam abdulla (@samabdulla) December 20, 2012
44.
@samabdulla – Its graet to talk especially when a patient mayfeel isolated and in unfamilar environment #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
45.
@michellemellor3 spot on! #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
46.
@michellemellor3 @samabdulla Agreed, reassurance from family and friends can aid recovery #wenurses
— Sally Wilson (@salsa442) December 20, 2012
47.
@Bartontd @agencynurse @meta4rn mobiles are really useful for patients in bed, but for those unable to talk it’s up to the nurses #wenurses
— Sally Wilson (@salsa442) December 20, 2012
48.
@salsa442 I remember wheeling around pay phones as student – was a g8 way to get pts & relatives communicating Mobiles these days #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
49.
@michellemellor3 will they start taking down the switch of mobiles sign in hospitals then #wenurses
— thomas cartner (@bunnet501JFT96) December 20, 2012
50.
@bunnet501 – some hospital wards allow mobile phones now
#wenurses— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
51.
Is there any evidence of mobiles interfering with medical equip? Pretty sure there isn’t… what’s with banning them? #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
52.
@meta4RN I think the ‘excuse’ used by many hospitals is that noise of ringing phones & conversations can disturb other patients #wenurses
— David Foord (@DGFoord) December 20, 2012
53.
@WeNurses @dgfoord And potentially make pts without mobiles feel even more isolated #wenurses
— Sally Wilson (@salsa442) December 20, 2012
Social Media.
54.
@AgencyNurse @salsa442 @meta4RN #wenurses I have done that frequently in the past. And today with Mobiles & SN it takes on new perspectives
— David Barton (@Bartontd) December 20, 2012
55.
#wenurses All forms of communication are valuable, and all have their pros and cons. Nursing is defined by communication
— David Barton (@Bartontd) December 20, 2012
56.
Could a family member Tweet/Blog/Facebook daily updates as an alternative to people phoning the hospital all the time? #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
57.
an interesting point raised by @meta4RN other forms of comms … what about skype & facetime ? Social media … blogs etc #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
58.
As communication methods diversify then the risk of abuse multiplies. #wenurses Look at how SM has attracted abuse by some users.
— David Barton (@Bartontd) December 20, 2012
59.
We have to educate our future nurses on how diverse communication can bring benefit, but also risk – and what those are. #wenurses
— David Barton (@Bartontd) December 20, 2012
Individualising Communication & Confidentiality.
60.
@Bartontd This helps embed #6Cs Communication, benefits and risks #wenurses
— Sally Wilson (@salsa442) December 20, 2012
61.
@salsa442 @AgencyNurse @meta4RN So true – advocacy #wenurses
— David Barton (@Bartontd) December 20, 2012
62.
#6Cs Communication is a transactional process of sharing meaning with others. Rothwell (1998) #wenurses
— David Barton (@Bartontd) December 20, 2012
63.
We have discussed many times at #wenurses that future nurses must be communication savvy. Confidentiality is core, and so easily breached.
— David Barton (@Bartontd) December 20, 2012
64.
@Bartontd Let’s adopt approach to adapt confidentiality to meet indiv need? Many examples where they’re happy with grater openness #wenurses
— David Foord (@DGFoord) December 20, 2012
65.
@wenurses good point. we talk all the time about individualising care, why should communication with others be any different #WeNurses
— Natasha McVey (@XMcVey) December 20, 2012
66.
So we are really talking about being able to provide individualised comms to ensure pts are able to talk to their own relatives #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
67.
@AgencyNurse Yep. And if patient can’t communicate directly, is there a close friend/relative who can on their behalf? #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
68.
@meta4RN Totally agree & think we often forget how important individualised comms are #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
69.
#wenurses I work FT on the phone. It is startling how versatile this medium really is but needs training and practice
— Big D (@DavidForey) December 20, 2012
WiFi for Hospital Patients.
70.
@AgencyNurse would wifi be expensive to install in hospital for patients #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
71.
@michellemellor3 I agree @Johnpopham talks a lot about free wifi for pts …. Important to stay in touch #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
72.
@WeNurses @michellemellor3 @agencynurse @johnpopham may be able to help us here, is wifi expensive to install? #wenurses
— Sally Wilson (@salsa442) December 20, 2012
73.
Hi #wenurses – Would appreciate some love for the Free Wifi for Patients Crowd Funding site http://t.co/d5UReSMH
— John Popham (@johnpopham) December 20, 2012
74.
@michellemellor3 @AgencyNurse Expensive – no. The problem is that it would impact bandwith, and possibly crash essential comms #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
75.
@michellemellor3 Don’t think cost is the only barrier. Limitied total bandwidth leads some hospitals to choose not to install wifi #wenurses
— David Foord (@DGFoord) December 20, 2012
76.
@AgencyNurse sounds expensive at a time of austerity #WeNurses
— claire gough (@freeranger101) December 20, 2012
77.
@LeggeAngie @michellemellor3 @AgencyNurse and lose the NHS the cash cow that is paytv and internet #wenurses
— thomas cartner (@bunnet501JFT96) December 20, 2012
78.
@bunnet501 @michellemellor3 @AgencyNurse That is also an issue. But money doesn’t go to NHS but private company #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
79.
@WeNurses @michellemellor3 @AgencyNurse our WiFi for 20 beds, with separate patients n staff secure systems about £10k #datasecurity
— Philip Ball (@PhilipRABall) December 20, 2012
80.
@PhilipRABall how on earth can it cost that – outrageous! #wenurses profiteering i think
— Nick Chinn (@NRCUK) December 20, 2012
81.
@LeggeAngie @michellemellor3 @AgencyNurse sack the private company and make it an NHS cashcow, #wenurses
— thomas cartner (@bunnet501JFT96) December 20, 2012
Compassion.
82.
as we approach the halfway point we perhaps need to look at the other aspect to this story …and the death of a colleague #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
83.
what can we do to ensure this doesn’t happen again ? #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
84.
@WeNurses – we need to ensure that all org have set up support networks for staff, in time of need #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
85.
@michellemellor3 I agree we do need to do this …. But how do we know when someone is in need ? #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
86.
Nurses do emotional labour. What safeguards are already in place for us? #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
87.
@meta4RN – not that much really. Are we supposed to be strong!! #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
88.
@meta4RN I don’t think the emotional investment in work is understood enough, nor enough support mechanisms #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
89.
@AgencyNurse @bunnet501 We do need to support colleagues – and is a key part of leadership #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
90.
leaders who have the ability for emotional intellegence, know their team as individuals #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
91.
I don’t have a reference handy, but pretty sure that nurses are more prone to depression/anxiety than the general public #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
Prank Call.
92.
@LeggeAngie @AgencyNurse we do at all times but before the tragedy it was seen as one of the greatest practical jokes of all time.#wenurses
— thomas cartner (@bunnet501JFT96) December 20, 2012
93.
@LeggeAngie @AgencyNurse and I defy anyone on here who never laughed when they heard about it, and asked why anyone would belive #wenurses
— thomas cartner (@bunnet501JFT96) December 20, 2012
94.
@bunnet501 @AgencyNurse I didn’t find it funny. Considering the circumstances of the patient here, I thought it was poor taste #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
95.
@bunnet501 Media/public in general need to understand the impact of this kind of ‘prank call’. Telecoms Laws need to be enforced. #wenurses
— David Foord (@DGFoord) December 20, 2012
96.
As nurses we have all encountered the tragic untended consequences of foolish acts. We rise above this – we are professional #wenurses
— David Barton (@Bartontd) December 20, 2012
97.
@jamieyeomans I agree – there are times when nurses don’t do what they are supposed to but we should still deal with compassion #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
98.
@LeggeAngie @AgencyNurse It was possibly the greatest prank call ever but the circumstances and aftermath are tragic #wenurses
— thomas cartner (@bunnet501JFT96) December 20, 2012
99.
And as hard as it may be Nurses do not judge others – we care #wenurses
— David Barton (@Bartontd) December 20, 2012
100.
@WeNurses has anyone any thoughts on the impact on the DJ’s lives #wenurses
— thomas cartner (@bunnet501JFT96) December 20, 2012
Targeted Crisis Support.
101.
@AgencyNurse – it is very sad to think she didnt have someone (colleague) to talk to #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
102.
@AgencyNurse – need confidential tel line for staff lie samaritans but inhouse NHS #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
103.
@meta4RN I think the RCN have some good resources here … Do you guys in AUS have anything ? #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
104.
One state in Australia has a confidential service specifically for Nurses: http://t.co/JCEGMfuJ #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
105.
@AgencyNurse I think we need some actions specifically about supporting colleagues from the nursing strategy #wenurses
— David Foord (@DGFoord) December 20, 2012
106.
I am sure most people have someone at work that they connect with and could talk to #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
Clinical Supervision (aka Peer Supervision, aka Guided Reflective Practice).
107.
great point raised by @geary_ware > would peer supervision help ? #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
108.
@XMcVey – agree clinical supervision is invaluable and needed #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
109.
Mental health nurses are encouraged+++ to have clinical supervision #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
110.
That is, clinical supervision, Brigid Proctor style: normative, formative and restorative. Restorative = value adding+++ #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
111.
group clinical supervision and 1-1 needed #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
112.
@michellemellor3 totally agree. as a student on placement we get this support from our mentors, support from mentors is invaluable #WeNurses
— Natasha McVey (@XMcVey) December 20, 2012
113.
When I’m Prime Minister (ha!) clinical supervision/guided reflective practice will be part of the infrastructure of health. #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
114.
@meta4RN Brilliant …. In that case I will vote for you 😉 #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
115.
@meta4RN why wait? Implement it, model it, get involved in nurse ed to support it #anythingispossible #WeNurses
— Clare Morris #wearetheuniversity (@mgacsm) December 20, 2012
Supportive Workplaces.
116.
how can we show compassion & support for our colleagues who are going through tough times ? #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
117.
There are parallel processes: nurturing work environment = nurturing nurses #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
118.
@WeNurses Not always easy for busy colleagues to identify when someone is feeling depressed #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
119.
It’s tricky when there is a “wounded healer” – a colleague who seems to be struggling. Compassion vs intrusion. #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
120.
All the more reason to have confidential chat with a trusted peer built-in. Part of the hospital’s infrastructure. #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
121.
leaders need to be #commited to their team members #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
122.
@LeggeAngie Nursing is a challenging job …. Should we all know & recognise the signs ? #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
123.
@AgencyNurse Yes, I think it would help if we trained all nurses to be alert for signs of depression in colleagues, and what to do #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
124.
@wenurses think the most important thing you can do is just let someone know you’re are there to support them and there to listen #WeNurses
— Natasha McVey (@XMcVey) December 20, 2012
125.
@WeNurses @LeggeAngie More generic ability to recognise when colleagues aren’t coping, whatever the reason, would be better #wenurses
— David Foord (@DGFoord) December 20, 2012
126.
does having “communities” of nurses help ? #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
127.
@michellemellor3 nurses need to be sensitive to their peers emotions as well as patients. Who cares for the nurse? #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
128.
Definitely having a community of nurses helps. I may not want my boss to know I’m struggling, but a trusted workmate is OK #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
129.
@wenurses knowing that there are people who are likely to share similar experiences with you is incredibly supportive #WeNurses
— Natasha McVey (@XMcVey) December 20, 2012
130.
@jamieyeomans:@AgencyNursecompassion is at the core of nursing regardless of a nurses grade, job position.Without we are nothing #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
131.
need to promote an environment that does not blame. Do we still have a blame culture or has this diminished somewhat? #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
132.
Think it is hard when on workload is increasing with no incremental staff increases, to notice who is not struggling #WeNurses
— TMcC (@TildaMc) December 20, 2012
133.
@WeNurses @michellemellor3 @dgfoord Ah, but we are the heroes/heroines of the hospital! No weakness! #WeNurses
— Dr. Anja K. Peters (@thesismum) December 20, 2012
134.
@jamieyeomans @WeNurses @DGFoord Absolutely. We need to be alert for stress in our colleagues. #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
135.
Who cares for the carers? It was a lesson, and an oversight, never to be forgotten. http://t.co/hjYzXbPh See End of Chapter #wenurses
— David Barton (@Bartontd) December 20, 2012
Preventative/Early-Intervention Resources.
136.
We have a staff resource on our intranet called, “That was bloody stressful! What’s next?” Re stress reactions at work. #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
137.
@meta4RN Wow that sounds interesting – what does it include ? Don’t think we have anything like that here …Is it like a debrief? #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
138.
@AgencyNurse It’s an overview of stress reactions written in a chatty style. And has avenues for follow listed PRN #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
139.
@meta4RN Does it work? Is it used ? #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
140.
@AgencyNurse it is used – always gets hits each month. I have had some positive feedback about it, but haven’t evaluated #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
The 6Cs (Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage & Commitment).
141.
Which of the #6Cs DON’T apply to this situation? How can we use the new nursing vision & actions to prevent recurrence? #wenurses
— David Foord (@DGFoord) December 20, 2012
142.
@DGFoord I think they all pretty much do – just opens our eyes as to the importance of this new vision #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
143.
@DGFoord @AgencyNurse Think if all trusts followed actions as set out nurses stress would reduce #WeNurses
— TMcC (@TildaMc) December 20, 2012
144.
@DGFoord – we need to commit to each other and support our colleagues. #6c‘s #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
145.
@DGFoord I think you are right …. We certainly need to apply to colleagues ANDpts #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
146.
nurses need to care and have compassion for their colleagues at all levels @DGFoord #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
Integrating Defusing Emotions into Clinical Practice.
147.
Adoption of minimum staffing recommended by RCN would help.#WeNurses
— TMcC (@TildaMc) December 20, 2012
148.
@wenurses @TildaMc @AgencyNurse on my last placement we had a ‘changes’ handover in the afternoon, prime time to debrief after ward round
— Natasha McVey (@XMcVey) December 20, 2012
149.
@TildaMc It can be … Have often thought that a handover at the end of a shift would be useful … To debrief & share & support #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
150.
@agencynurse debriefing would be a useful tool especially at the end of a shift. knowing you’ve resolved something helps destress #WeNurses
— Natasha McVey (@XMcVey) December 20, 2012
151.
@tildamc thats a very good idea .. a protected handover / debrief #couldcatchon #valuable #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
152.
@XMcVey @AgencyNurse We only have half hour overlap ,no time for debriefing .#WeNurses
— TMcC (@TildaMc) December 20, 2012
153.
@TildaMc That’s a massive problem in many areas ….. We really do need adequate time for theses things away from the bedside #wenurses
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
154.
@wenurses @TildaMc @AgencyNurse maybe its something we need to be making time for? #WeNurses
— Natasha McVey (@XMcVey) December 20, 2012
Finishing-Up: Key Learnings.
155.
as we come into the final five minutes of this chat what are you key thoughts … what can we learn & take away from this? #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
156.
@wenurses looking after colleagues and self is just as important as looking after our patients #WeNurses
— Natasha McVey (@XMcVey) December 20, 2012
157.
We still need to crack how we take a more personalised approach to caring for patients’ & colleagues’ needs #wenurses
— David Foord (@DGFoord) December 20, 2012
158.
Involve the patient/family in communication as much as possible. Look after ourselves & our workmates. #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
159.
Remember “coping ” is not always a positive attribute .Nurse need time to let go #WeNurses
— TMcC (@TildaMc) December 20, 2012
160.
stress can happen to any of us, at any time &is always unexpected Try to be sensitive to your peers #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
161.
@michellemellor3 we couldn’t agree more #WeNurses
— Fareham&GosportCCG (@NHSFGCCG) December 20, 2012
162.
There should be access for nurses to speak to someone regarding work related stresses In ITU especially. #wenurses
— Nicole Stephens (@NicoleCStephens) December 20, 2012
163.
@NicoleCStephens Why ITU in particular .Lots of stressful areas from the outside 1-1 nursing sounds a scoosh #WeNurses
— TMcC (@TildaMc) December 20, 2012
164.
@thesismum @WeNurses @michellemellor3 We’re human, fallable & sometimes far from perfect, but we have a reputation to uphold 😉 #wenurses
— David Foord (@DGFoord) December 20, 2012
Closing Remarks.
165.
An observation/congratulation: Nurses chat about issues raised by the death of a colleague did so with intelligence, grace. #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
166.
decent chat tonight, hope my ramblings never upset anyone #wenurses
— thomas cartner (@bunnet501JFT96) December 20, 2012
167.
@bunnet501 Great chat & I don’t think you can ramble in less than 140 charcters, can you? #wenurses
— David Foord (@DGFoord) December 20, 2012
168.
@DGFoord nope. noticed my last question wasn’t tken up. The impact of this tragedy was huge and impacted on more than one family #wenurses
— thomas cartner (@bunnet501JFT96) December 20, 2012
169.
Thank you all for your fantastic thoughts around this subject tonight all dealt with in a compassionate manner #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
170.
@WeNurses – Great chat as always with our brilliant #nursecommunity – thank you all #wenurses
— #HelloMyNameIs (@michellemellor3) December 20, 2012
171.
great chat with @WeNurses tonight, good to see so many nurses tweeting together about such an important topic #WeNurses
— Natasha McVey (@XMcVey) December 20, 2012
172.
#WeNurses support PRN
Aussies: Lifeline ph 13 11 14 http://t.co/eeogsXQh
Brits: Samaritans ph 08457 90 90 90 http://t.co/Su5cF6W3— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
Farewells.
173.
That was our final chat for 2012 .. so Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all xx #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
174.
A special thanks to our Australian colleagues for joining us 🙂 #wenurses
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
175.
Thanks to @WeNurses for bringing us together. Really valued this chat. #WeNurses
— Paul McNamara (@meta4RN) December 20, 2012
176.
@WeNurses Merry Christmas everyone! #WeNurses
— Angela Legge (@LeggeAngie) December 20, 2012
177.
@WeNurses Merry Christmas and Fröhliche Weihnachten from Germany! #wenurses
— Dr. Anja K. Peters (@thesismum) December 20, 2012
178.
AND a massive thanks to @AgencyNurse for her 100s of hours of volunteering & devotion to keep #wenurses going (IT in trouble now!)
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
179.
with the last #WeNurses summary done for 2012 .. i am now in official Christmas mode …. shopping and baking tomorrow :))
— Teresa Chinn MBE RN (@AgencyNurse) December 20, 2012
180.
Tonight’s sensitive & global #WeNurses transcript up by @AgencyNurse http://t.co/SMLkD4VW “Compassion & Communication” +transcript & stats
— WeNurses (@WeNurses) December 20, 2012
Explanation
These Tweets were initially compiled using a social media aggregation tool called Storify
storify.com/meta4RN/communication-and-compassion
Unfortunately, Storify is shutting-down on 16 May 2018 and all content will be deleted.
I’m using my blog as a place to mimic/save the Storify pages I created and value.
End Notes
This archive of Tweets relate directly to two blog posts I wrote at the time. If you’re interested in elaboration re the context at the time, please visit these pages:
Questions of Compassion meta4RN.com/questions-of-compassion
WeNurses: Communication and Compassion meta4RN.com/WeNurses
As always, please use the comments section below for any feedback/questions.
Paul McNamara, 3rd April 2018
Short URL: meta4RN.com/Chat
meta4RN 