In part I of the Laudio Community series, Fostering Calm and Civility in Times of Crisis, Tom Hills, SVP, Laudio interviews Cynthia Clark, RN, Ph.D., ANEF, FAAN, Strategic Nursing Advisor for ATI Nursing Education, and author of “Creating and Sustaining Civility.” Their discussion explores the importance of fostering civility at this time in healthcare. Incivility includes a range of behaviors typically lower intensity acts of aggression, that if left unaddressed can lead to threatening conditions.
Workplace incivility has a significant impact on the work life of healthcare professionals, as well as patients and their families. When incivility is experienced in inpatient care areas, these negative encounters can provoke uncertainty, self-doubt, and ultimately jeopardizes patient safety. In this interview, Cynthia describes techniques that nurses and managers can use in the moment to promote civility and maintain resiliency.
Part II of the Laudio Community series, Fostering Calm and Civility in Times of Crisis highlights elements of a healthy work environment. Cynthia identifies ways to foster a thriving environment built on trust, compassion, and respect- critical components of a healthy work environment, especially during the Covid-19 crisis.
In part III of the series, Fostering Calm and Civility in Times of Crisis, Cynthia Clark talks about ways to coach civility within teams. In organizations where a positive work culture and civility are fostered, nurses feel empowered to speak up and are more likely to intervene when they are confronted with an uncivil situation. Cynthia advocates for fostering civility in the workforce by educating all members of the work team about the negative impact that incivility can have, not only on their workforce but ultimately on patient care.
In the fourth and final segment of Fostering Calm and Civility in Times of Crisis, Cynthia Clark talks from a personal perspective about the impact of Covid-19. Tom and Cynthia discuss how the crisis has impacted them, and ways to effectively manage emotions. Cynthia shares how she is navigating her own emotions through these difficult times as Covid-19 affects the lives of her friends and family. Offering words of support and gratitude can go a long way during these strenuous times. And, as Cynthia puts it, “Every day is a good day to honor and thank nurses and all frontline workers.”