Just Jess this episode, with her good friend Jen who has been an emergency department nurse for almost 12 years. Jen shares insider info on what happens behind the triage desk, step by step, colour coated, organized chaos and everything. Jess learns about why wait times happen and why the staff run a tight ship. Jen was nervous, but i’m sure the wine helped 

-First thing’s first: triage!

-The Triage and Acuity scale: What’s your number?

-Colour organized sections: Where you going?

-Yes, there is usually a wait. It’s the worst. 

-The staff got your back. Trust them. 

-Keep your cool.

This is a big one! Jess and Inge talk all about validation. What it is, how to do it, why it is so powerful. Clearly, Jess is obsessed.

–Validation: Recognizing that a persons feelings are valid.

–Simple and powerful.

-Use it when: a person is upset/angry/sad, a person shares bad news, a person shares a struggle, a person needs support.

-Things you can say: that sounds so hard, that must feel awful, that sucks, I can see why you would feel that way.

-A person sharing their experience or feelings is not an invitation for advice.

-Using generic, uplifting phrases is not validating.

-Validating someones feelings is not supporting their behaviours or agreeing with their actions.

-Set aside shame, blame and judgement.

-Validation is a skill so just practice and keep it simple.

Things change, people change. What are Jess and Inge up to now?

Jess just returned to work at the office after a year long mat leave and Inge just returned from a five week nursing outpost in Fort Nelson, BC.

They have a lot to catch up on and stories to share.

Jess and Inge vent the deets about the numerous reasons docs can fall behind. “I don’t mind waiting, got nothing but time” – said no one ever. With Inge in BC on a travel placement, the gals, once again, use technology as best they can to validate and shed some light on this age old question. 

-Note: the staff at the office also strongly dislike when the doc is behind schedule, please be kind to them. 

-Usually, once one appointment goes over time, it’s a downward spiral of lateness and it’s really hard to catch up. 

-Appointments can go over time for many reasons; you never know what’s going on in that room. Be respectful. 

-HCPs are human too, things come up, lateness ensues. 

-HCPs do more than just see patients at the office. They get pulled away for a million and one reasons. As per Inge, “a couple minutes, a couple times is like ten minutes,” and bam, they’re behind. 

Honey-Do list:

-Do ask questions about how long appointments are scheduled for and if the doc is behind. 

-Do prepare for a wait – bring a book 

-Do follow the office protocol and book your appointment accordingly. 

-Do be respectful of the allotted time you have with the doctor. 

-Do be kind to the bearers of bad news when there are no more appointments available for the day. 

-Be honey!

Jess and Inge take on a serious topic that is super important to them. If you weren’t sure what informed decision making was, you’re about to find out. With the goal of empowering the people, they discuss the who, what, where, when and hows of making personal, medical decisions. 

-Where we get information. There’s a lot out there. Like, A LOT. 

-How to know if the information is accurate and reliable and not just Joe Schmo’s opinion. 

-A deep dive into google: how to assess your sites. 

-Be aware of a little thing called bias. 

-Decisions are personal, it’s yours to make. 

-Remember that pandemic we are in? How are you making decisions about it?

Honey-do list:

-Do gather all the information you can. Specifically risks, benefits and alternatives. 

-Do make sure the information is from accurate, reliable, evidence based sources. 

-Do use your health care professional as a resource. 

-Do remember that medical decisions are personal and you have to do what’s best for you.

Learn a little more about these hosts!

Jess and Inge decide to do an episode where they introduce themselves a little more. They talk about their nursing history and journey, why they became nurses, and the rewards and challenges of nursing. It’s like a virtual therapy session for them. Feels good.

Jess and Inge take on a physically distanced, interview style podcast as Inge shares the real and emotional experiences that have come with adapting the office to function during a pandemic.

-Inge talks about the first few intense, stressful days of figuring things out at the office during a global pandemic.

-How the office has changed and care has adapted.

-Using technology to provide care. For example – pitting edema video

-What visits are still happening and what has been postponed.

-What Inge and her housemate have been doing while physical distancing -They are so creative 

Honey-do List:

-Do continue to practice physical distancing when possible and follow consistent sources for reliable information.

-Do contact your trusted health care professionals if you have questions about care of if you need care.

-Do continue to access the Emergency department if you require urgent or emergent assistance or care.

Stay safe everyone!

Jess and Inge discuss how people can prepare for their appointments to make it the best appointment ever.

Be sure to tune into the end of the pod to hear what the girls dished before getting to the ‘regular scheduled program.’ Inge shares a funny story from the ‘new office,’ as they transition to their new surroundings.

-Know how your office books appts and follow procedure as much as possible.

-Think about how much time you might need with the doc, and remember, 15 minutes, baby.

-Think about what the doctor might ask you related to your visit.

-Pain, for example: How long, makes it worse, makes it better, describe, etc.

-Have you tried anything to help? What can YOU do? If you havent tried anything yet, maybe the nurse/ a friend/ a credible googled site can offer a suggestion.

-Develop a realistic goal for your appointment.

Honey do list

-Follow the rules

-Ask what’s up if you have a special request

-Anticipate what the doc will ask/need to know – time efficient

-Utilize the other staff if you can

-Be realistic

Jess and Inge talk about how scheduling works at the office. They break down and detail “the shpeal” they give to people about how appointments are booked.

Tune in to the end of the podcast to hear what Inge said when she didn’t know Jess was recording. 

-Just keep calling. Yes, it’s annoying. 

-Office hours, 9-5 baby. 

-Same-day appointments: Keepin it fair. Pros and cons. 

-Mini triage- why do you need to see the doc and why do we want to know?

-Pre-booked appointments and who gets em. 

Honey-do list:

-Do wait until a later hour to call with questions or about results. 

-Do be prepared for a mini phone triage. 

-Do have an open mind and heart – the staff does want to help you. 

-Do politely and respectfully explain your situation to the staff to see if there is anything they can do.

Jess and Inge talk to Dragana, the clinical pharmacist that works at the office. What is a clinical pharmacist, you ask? They wondered that too. Now, they wonder how they ever practiced without her. In[...]