5 Tips to Help You Stay Focused at Work
Everyday, healthcare professionals face multiple distractions and are pulled in numerous directions. This type of chaos can definitely make staying focused at work difficult. However, as we all know in healthcare, there’s not much room for error and even the slightest mistake can have negative consequences.

So what are some things we can do to minimize interruptions and distractions, and maximize our focus at work? Here are five easy strategies you can implement:

1. Grab a notebook. There’s nothing like a task list sitting next to you to keep you focused. Having your to-do list close by will constantly remind you of what needs to get done. It may not stop the distractions, but it will help keep you on track.

2. Make time for interruptions. This may seem counterintuitive, but it can work wonders.  If you play a role in a team where others need to interact with you, try allocating a time slot in which they are allowed to interrupt you. Instead of having people stop by every 10 minutes asking you questions, let them know a time in the day (i.e., between 2-4 pm) that you can be interrupted. At all other times you should really be able get some work done!

3. Keep tabs on everything you do. It’s easy to start with good intentions, but more difficult to sustain commitment and follow through. Stay focused by consistently tracking your progress. It will provide more visibility on what you’ve accomplished and you’ll be able to better gauge how much effort is left on unfinished items.

4. Push repetitive and boring tasks to the end of the day (if you can). Practically everyone has some amount of repetitive or boring tasks that go along with their job. If possible, push these tasks to the end of the day. After all, it’s better to work on things which require brain power early—when you’re more refreshed alert. At the end of the day, when you’re more tired, it’s usually better to work on boring tasks that can be done via “auto-pilot”.

5. Begin with the end in mind. It’s extremely easy to get wrapped up in your daily tasks and forget about the big picture. Instead of concentrating too much on the tasks at hand, try to turn your attention toward the final outcome. By focusing on the results, it is easier to maintain motivation; especially when working on things that you are not by nature motivated by.

Remember, distractions and interruptions are inevitable, but they’re not an excuse to slip behind and completely lose focus. By incorporating the strategies above, you can help yourself stay sharp and focused throughout the day, everyday.


“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
—John Adams:



Studies Find Aggression between Nursing Home Residents Common
In a new study, researchers at Cornell University found aggression and violence occurring between residents to be extremely common and widespread. The study found 35 different types of physical and verbal abuse between residents at a large urban nursing home. Screaming was the most common form of aggression, followed by such physical violence as pushing and punching or fighting.

In related work, the authors found that 2.4 percent of residents reported personally experiencing physical aggression from another resident and 7.3 percent reported experiencing verbal aggression over just a two-week period. Most respondents rated the events as moderately or extremely disruptive to daily activities.

In another study, 12 nurse-observers identified 30 episodes of resident-to-resident aggression on just a single eight-hour shift, 17 of which were physical.
Research also indicates that victims are more likely to be male, have behavioral problems like wandering, and be cognitively impaired.

Given that nursing homes are environments where people live close together, and many residents have lowered inhibitions because of dementia, the results of these studies may not be too surprising. However, since few proven solutions exist to prevent resident altercations, the studies reinforce the urgency to address and resolve these types of behaviors. 




How to Help Co-Workers Deal with Emotional Problems
As a healthcare professional, you probably have learned how to treat and patch-up physical wounds, but when it comes to addressing emotional wounds, you may not feel as confident in your abilities. You may feel at a loss when dealing with an employee or co-worker who is angry, crying, or despondent. It would certainly be easier for you to just walk away, and allow employees to figure it all out for themselves. However, the act of helping someone deal with a personal problem is a mark of your success as a communicator, a problem solver, and a person.

Problems are not something people can simply switch off and on. A serious personal problem tends to engulf one’s time and thought no matter where they are. A good manager understands this, and knows that people have problems that sometimes invade the workplace. Furthermore, a good manager knows how to listen and will allow their employees to talk about their problems.

Three of the most common emotional reactions you may encounter at the workplace are crying, anger, and despondency. Below is a look at each of these emotions and how you can best manage them.

Crying: If an employee begins crying at work, take him/her to a private room. Offer them something to drink, such as water, coffee, or a soft drink. Give the person time to gain his or her composure. If the person declines to discuss the reason for the tears, don’t push. But if the person does want to talk, remain understanding and sympathetic; don’t make judgments. If possible, give the employee a chance to go home early. Chances are they won’t be too productive anyway, and they will appreciate the offer. Follow up at a later date to show your concern for his or her well-being.

Angry:  If an individual comes to you angry, make it clear that he or she must cool down before you interact with them. Tell the person that anger is an acceptable emotion, as long as they act in a rationale and non-violent manner. Invite the person to calmly vent their feelings and explain why they are angry; sometimes the best remedy is just talking to someone who will listen. However, if you believe that the person presents a danger (whether it be to themselves or others) you should recruit additional help. This could be your HR representative or security personnel.

Despondent:  A person who is despondent displays a consistent mood of being sad and/or aloof. A despondent person may also keep to themselves and may be reluctant to discuss their feelings. Despondency is often more serious than crying or anger because it can signal deeply rooted depression. If you believe a person has become despondent, ask them to join you in a private room. Without conveying any kind of judgment, ask gently whether the person is feeling down or unhappy. State your willingness to help. If the person agrees to talk, be a good listener. If tears come, don’t’ stop them. They may provide a great relief for the person. If necessary, you may need to recommend some fairly serious steps, such as a leave of absence or outside counseling.

It may not be the most glamorous part of the job, but as a manager you have the opportunity to help employees through some rough times. Just by listening and providing comfort, you can make a positive difference. Recognize that you’re only temporarily turning your attention to someone’s problem, and that by doing so, you’re truly performing a service for both the employee as well as the organization.

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”
—Helen Keller

Corporate Terminology Translated

Sometimes what a company says and what they really mean are two completely different things. Below are some humorous translations on some common corporate terminology.

“Join our fast-paced company”
Translation: We have no time to train you.



“Casual work atmosphere”
Translation: We don't pay you enough to expect that you'll dress nicely.



“Must be deadline-oriented”
Translation: You'll be six months behind schedule on your first day.



“Must be flexible”
Translation: On many occasions, you'll be asked to bend over backwards.



“Some overtime required”
Translation: Some time each night and some time each weekend.



“Duties will vary”
Translation: Anyone in the office can boss you around.



“Must have an eye for detail”
Translation:  We have no quality control.



“Requires team leadership skills”    

Translation: You'll have the responsibilities of a manager, without the pay or respect.



“Must have good communication skills”
Translation: Management communicates, you listen, figure out what they want and do it.