Jamin Homan, director of patient safety for ThedaCare, addresses a large group of student nurses at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.
In freshly launched careers, new nurses are bound to find themselves in pressure-filled situations and sometimes difficult conversations with patients, patient families or even co-workers.
UWO student nurses talk through scenarios during a Crucial Conversations workshop hosted by Career & Professional Development.
To prepare nursing students for that reality—and to facilitate a welcome dose of experiential learning alongside representatives from a spectrum of regional and state health care partners, including ThedaCare, Aspirus Health, Aurora Health Care, Froedtert Health, Park View Health Center and Winnebago Mental Health Institute—University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh Career & Professional Development developed an hour-long March workshop to delve into the “crucial conversations” that lie ahead for health care professionals.
“Employers tell us competent communication is in the Top 5 when it comes to being career-ready,” said Jaime Page-Stadler, UW-Oshkosh’s director of career and professional development. “Our colleges take that very seriously.”
The UWO workshop began with an explanation of why conversations are crucial and moved quickly into several difficult patient scenarios where students were asked to decide the action they’d take.
Small groups had either a clinical instructor, nurse manager or human resources recruiter to assist the students as they talked through their “stress response” and what their problem-solving approach may be.
“We understand that when a person experiences a medical situation, they will likely feel some level of concern or anxiety,” said Jamin Homan, ThedaCare’s director of patient safety, who noted that medical patients typically worry about test results, what a doctor might find or what they’ll be advised to do. “As health care professionals, we are proud to support patients and families to help ease any anxiety they might be feeling.”
Laura Smolinski, UWO assistant director of the traditional BSN program and clinical associate professor, said her class has follow-up conversations about stressors that can be part of their future careers. She tells students about the importance of understanding early what is expected and valued as an employee and if the employer’s culture will be agreeable to them.
Student Megan Lichter said the workshop encouraged self-examination and reflection. It had her thinking about things she normally doesn’t—situations that could happen—and her response to stress, “such as whether I resort to getting defensive or angry or quiet.” She appreciated learning self-defense techniques that could help her out of critical situations at her future workplace or even as a young adult in the real world.
UWO student nurses take part in a Crucial Conversations workshop exoloring difficult situations and conversations they may encounter at their future workplaces.
And Lichter added she now understands the importance of speaking up for herself in the workplace—even if feels uncomfortable.
Essential know-how
Using high-impact role-playing, student nurses learned how they may need to delicately navigate their patient’s needs—and how to keep themselves safe in emotionally-charged environments.
ThedaCare’s Behavioral Emotional Response Team (BERT), through role-play, showed students how skills and strategy can help them handle challenges and stress in a constructive way.
BERT members spoke of supportive measures that may help when a patient is anxious, assertive measures to employ when a patient is agitated, and defensive measures to initiate when certain triggers cause aggression.
Students learned that 80% of the time, their own voice can address aggressive behavior—with loud instructions to stop the behavior and details, such as “drop the chair,” that co-workers can hear and prompt them to help. They were able to practice responses on each other in a safe learning environment.
Representatives from health care organizations in the region took part in Crucial Conversations at UWO, talking with student nurses about situations they may find themselves in and potential responses.
As nurses handling patient care, “we’re very much in their personal bubble,” said Katie Ozark, registered nurse clinical manager of medical surgical services with ThedaCare. “(And) everyone has different boundaries.”
Ozark said interventions can help the focus return to care for the patient.
A step ahead
“Crucial conversations are an essential part of preparing our student nurses for the realities of the healthcare environment,” said UWO College of Nursing Dean Seon Yoon Chung. “As they enter the workforce, they will inevitably face pressure-filled situations and difficult conversations with patients, families and coworkers. This exercise equips them with the skills to navigate these emotionally charged scenarios effectively, such as navigating difficult conversations and managing stress, ensuring they can provide compassionate care while maintaining their own well-being. These skills are vital for their future careers in health care. By engaging in role-playing workshops, our students gain valuable experiential learning that enhances their competencies crucial for their success as health care professionals.”
The workshop was timely as the UWO College of Nursing expects to send nearly 100 graduates into the workforce this spring.
“UW Oshkosh graduate nurses are highly sought after because employers have actively engaged in their professional development while they are students,” Page-Stadler said.
“Through hands-on learning, mentorship and real-world experiences, these graduates enter the workforce confident and prepared to make an immediate impact in the health care community. They overwhelmingly agree that UW-Oshkosh has given them the skills and knowledge needed for success and they are excited to begin their careers serving others.”
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