I usually don’t watch the Miss America Pageant, but this year I tuned in as I had heard that one of the contestants was a nurse and I wanted to see how she did. As I watched the show nurse Kelley Johnson, from Colorado went against tradition and instead of singing,...
On September 11, 2001, four coordinated terrorist attacks against the United States forever changed the course of history. Today is the 17th anniversary of those attacks on our country by terrorists. Much has happened since this day to remind us that we live in a...
Most of us have been told since we were young that it is important to set goals. Goals provide the direction we need on the journey we call Life. Our goals may change as we age or be redirected in the face of challenges, but keeping your goals in mind can help you to...
On every airline flight, a flight attendant gives directions to those on board so they know what to do in an emergency. One line always stands out: “If you are traveling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist...
Last week, I talked about the patient being a critical member of the healthcare team and why collaboration and communication between patients and team members is needed to ensure safe, cost-effective quality care. This week, I would like to share how...
Today, there is a movement to ensure the patient is the center of the healthcare team. As a seasoned healthcare professional, I took this for granted and it was not until I was a patient that I understood why this is so important. I then realized that the concept...
We have all been there–one minute, you’re fine, and the next, you’re not. My disruption came in the form of a serious medical issue that completely interrupted my life. In this week’s posting, I want to discuss the experience that changed me. I will also...
A friend who is a paraplegic once told me that ‘we are all temporally abled’. Today, I am disabled as a result of chemotherapy. The chemo worked to rid my brain of a brain tumor but left me with nerve damage in my legs and chemo-induced peripheral...
Welcome to my blog, Nurse Advocate. I decided to develop my Blog, Nurse Advocate, to share my experience as a nurse, a case manager, a nurse advocate, and, most recently, patient. Through weekly posts, I plan to share information about my experiences, which have...
My name is Anne Llewellyn. Some people (family and close friends) call me Nancy, but professionally I go by Anne. I live in South Florida and am married to my best friend, Corky. I have two brothers and one sister. My husband has three sisters and one brother. We are...
