The end of the year is the time to look back on the goals we set and see how we have done. Each year since I started Blogging in 2015, I take the time to see how my posts performed and what messages resonated most with readers. Doing this allows me to craft content that is meaningful going forward.

My goal since my first post on July 15, 2015, is twofold – to help others understand how to navigate patient-centered care better and to empower all to have a voice in your care.

This year, my Blog was recognized by two leading organizations. One was Nurse.com who highlighted 50 Fantastic Blogs for Nurses.  The second one was by Nurse Recruiter who put together the ultimate list of blogs by and for nurses. These awards are appreciated and I am proud to be recognized by my peers for the work I am doing.

As I write this last post of 2018, I am proud to say that I have met my goals to post often and to share information that will help consumers, caregivers and all members of the healthcare team.

In 2019, I will continue to strive to meet these goals. I have decided to invite guest writers from time to time to lend their voice as a way to inform and educate about challenges we all face when we are thrust into the complex world of healthcare. Stay tuned for some exciting posts!

Here is the list of my top 10 Blogs for 2018. These were the posts that resonated the most with readers. If you did not read them when they came out, click on the title to review them now!

2018 Professional Reading List: As a leader in the healthcare industry, it was gratifying to see my annual Professional Reading List read and shared by so many people. If you have written a book, contributed a chapter to a book or have a resource that you feel would be an excellent addition to the 2019 Professional Reading list, please send my way.

Ensuring Safe Transitions of Care: Posts like ensuring safe transitions of care resonated with both patients, caregivers and members of the healthcare team. In this post, I provided 12 tips that people could use when they were thrust into the complex world of healthcare to help them ensure a safe transition of care. Transitions from one setting to another are the places where people fall through the cracks. Patients and Caregivers can prevent problems by being part of the process. Read this post and share with your friends and families.

9 Tips to Get Patients Actively Involved in Improving Their Health Outcomes: To improve the delivery of care, patients and their caregivers need to be involved in their care. This post resonated with most professionals as we move to a value-based healthcare system that is looking at outcomes as a way to reimburse providers and organizations. When quality outcomes are linked to reimbursement, people start paying attention.

Here’s Why Everyone Needs an Advocate: This post came from a personal experience where a close friend died after sustaining a fractured hip. Her care was difficult from day one as she was taken to a hospital where her regular team of doctors was not affiliated. As a result, she had multiple complications. Her family tried to advocate for her, but due to poor communication things did not go well. The experience reinforced to me that everyone needs an advocate when they enter the healthcare system!

A Special Report: Stepping Up to Case Management Certifications: This report highlighted the various national case management certifications that are available. I wanted to write this report, so case management professionals who are looking to step up to certification know that there are various ones to choose from to match their goals and expertise.

It Takes More Than Luck: Many people told me how lucky it was that I had a good outcome after being diagnosed with Brain Cancer. This post shows it was more than luck! Take a minute to read this post.

The Fear Factor is Never Far Away from Patients: As a cancer patient, you are always aware that cancer can return. That is why most cancer patients are followed by their oncology team for a five year period. This is because if cancer is going to return, a reoccurrence will usually happen within the first five years. This post shares the terror that runs through a patients’ mind when there is evidence to support a reoccurrence has raised his ugly head. I wrote this post, mostly for the healthcare team to remind them that their support is needed during these challenging time. Read and share with your healthcare team!

The Power of Water: I wrote this post to kick off the summer of 2018. I have always loved the water and found peace and tranquility by being close to it whether it be a pool or the ocean. After chemo, I sustained complications that left me with mobility challenges. As a result, water has offered me a way to exercise without the fear of injury. Read the Power of Water as it may be a therapy that can help you heal!

Celebrating Mentors Who Help Us Grow Professionally and Personally: this post was written in honor of Nurses Week. As a nurse, I have had an incredible career. I have met so many people who contributed to my success. This post was a way to say thank you to my mentors!

Peripheral Neuropathy Awareness: Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that is still being investigated by doctors, pharmacists and others in the science fields. PN can surface for many reasons and can impact a person’s mobility as well as the upper extremities causing them to need help with their activities of daily living. As a cancer survivor, I have learned to live with this condition and hope others influenced will as well. As they say, it is my new normal. This post shares information that I have learned on my journey that I hope will help others.

Thank you for reading Nurse Advocate. I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. I will be back on January 1^st!