THE BACK PAGE
Doing the Right Thing! Nancy M. Saufl, MS, RN, CPAN, CAPA THIS PAST MAY I attended my niece’s graduation from Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee. FSU is also my own alma mater, where I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing in 1975. Although my niece did not graduate in nursing, she did receive her Masters Degree in Special Education. I was, and continue to be, very proud of her. As I listened to the names of all the Spring 2014 graduates from the various Colleges that afternoon, I was touched by the excitement, motivation, and futures these graduates all hold before them. I was particularly pleased to see so many young people graduating from the College of Nursing and headed out into the work force—no doubt headed in many diverse directions and many diverse practice settings. The College of Nursing had many graduates participating in the ceremony on that beautiful afternoon. It was an honor and a privilege to witness 80 candidates receive their Bachelors in Nursing, 5 candidates receive their Masters in Nursing, and another 23 candidates receive their Doctoral degrees in Nursing Practice. 1 I know some are headed for leadership roles to guide and mentor others; some are going out to conduct research to enhance our evidence-based practices; some are headed into teaching roles to educate those coming behind them; and others will be at the bedside to care for our patients. I wish each of them wonderful, fulfilling, and rewarding careers.
The ideas or opinions expressed in this editorial are those solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASPAN, the Journal, or the Publisher. Nancy M. Saufl, MS, RN, CPAN, CAPA, is the Coordinator or the Preadmission Testing Department at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach, FL. She is a Past President of ASPAN (2000 to 2001) and a member of the JOPAN Editorial Advisory Board. Conflict of interest: None to report. Address correspondence to Nancy M. Saufl, 114 Pinion Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; e-mail address: nancy.saufl@ fhmmc.org. Ó 2014 by American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses 1089-9472/$36.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2014.07.009
Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, Vol 29, No 5 (October), 2014: pp 451-452
The commencement address was delivered by John W. Thiel, also a FSU Alumni. Thiel graduated from FSU in 1983 with a BS in Accounting and currently heads of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He spoke on the foundations of his success, emphasizing three keys for successful living: building relationships with others, investing in yourself, and to never give up on developing your potential.2 He focused on being genuinely interested in other people and trying to see things from the other person’s point of view. But what struck me the most was his encouragement to ‘‘do the right thing every day of your lives.’’ Although doing the right thing seems obvious to all of us, Thiel said that it is not always easy to do. He said ‘‘doing the right thing’’ might make other people upset, might even end relationships, or might make you have to apologize because it’s you who is the one who is wrong. Personally, I have always felt that doing the right thing is the way to live your life, whether it be mentoring new nurses, making daily decisions, and even leading our professional society, American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nursing. I’ve always told my new nurse proteges to make their decisions on what is ‘‘right for the patient,’’ and if they can do that, they will succeed in their career. When making decisions regarding family, work, or career, I’ve always wanted to do the right thing for myself and others. As ASPAN President, 2000 to 2001, I tried to make decisions on what was ‘‘right for the Society’’ and tried to encourage others to do the same. Although some decisions might not be the most popular decisions and might make some people unhappy—if it’s the right thing to do, then it’s the right thing to do. If you make decisions based on what is right, then you can’t go wrong. Sounds simple and seems like common sense doesn’t it? Well, that’s not always the case. How does one know how to make the right decision? To make ethical decisions, a person must know right and wrong (values/principles) and then do it!3 A person must make fair decisions.
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NANCY M. SAUFL
One must be honest, truthful, responsible, and respectful.3 You must be a role model for others and set a good example. I read a quote by author Catherine Aird that said ‘‘if you can’t be a good example then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning.’’3 Well, certainly, none of us want to be a ‘‘horrible warning’’ for any of our peers, colleagues, family, or friends. It’s up to us to speak up and encourage ethical practices. Remember the golden rule or the ‘‘do unto others test.’’3 It’s up to us to let our actions speak for themselves. Even in the First Book of Romans, God speaks about differentiating between what is right and what is wrong. It’s important for all of us to inspire others, promote professional development, nurture those coming behind us, and to be willing to learn new things and adjust to change. As nurses, we must be compassionate and caring as we anticipate the patient’s needs. We must maintain an open
mind and communicate with others. I hope that those new nurses will develop a caring touch and learn to advocate for their patients. If I could speak with each one of them directly, I would want to say ‘‘don’t ever let someone talk you into doing something you know isn’t right because it’s faster or easier. Trust yourself, trust your decisions. Do the right thing!’’ As my family and I left the graduation ceremonies, I found myself hoping that all the graduates, as they embarked on their new life journeys, would never lose the joy they felt that day. I hope that they never run out of opportunities to grow and develop and to realize their individual potential. Each of them has come a long way since first entering the university. I hope that they will let their excitement and delight motivate them in life, and I hope that each one will ‘‘do the right thing every time they can.’’
References 1. Available at: www.news.fsu.edu. News Site of FSU. Three to speak at spring commencement. Accessed July 12, 2014. 2. Available at: www.fsu.edu Commencement speakers offer life lessons to FSU graduates. Accessed July 12, 2014.
3. Available at: www.msstate.edu Do the right thing! Richard Swan, Ethics. Missisipi State University. Accessed July 12, 2014.
Doing the Right Thing! Nancy M. Saufl, MS, RN, CPAN, CAPA THIS PAST MAY I attended my niece’s graduation from Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee. FSU is also my own alma mater, where I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing in 1975. Although my niece did not graduate in nursing, she did receive her Masters Degree in Special Education. I was, and continue to be, very proud of her. As I listened to the names of all the Spring 2014 graduates from the various Colleges that afternoon, I was touched by the excitement, motivation, and futures these graduates all hold before them. I was particularly pleased to see so many young people graduating from the College of Nursing and headed out into the work force—no doubt headed in many diverse directions and many diverse practice settings. The College of Nursing had many graduates participating in the ceremony on that beautiful afternoon. It was an honor and a privilege to witness 80 candidates receive their Bachelors in Nursing, 5 candidates receive their Masters in Nursing, and another 23 candidates receive their Doctoral degrees in Nursing Practice. 1 I know some are headed for leadership roles to guide and mentor others; some are going out to conduct research to enhance our evidence-based practices; some are headed into teaching roles to educate those coming behind them; and others will be at the bedside to care for our patients. I wish each of them wonderful, fulfilling, and rewarding careers.
The ideas or opinions expressed in this editorial are those solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASPAN, the Journal, or the Publisher. Nancy M. Saufl, MS, RN, CPAN, CAPA, is the Coordinator or the Preadmission Testing Department at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center in Daytona Beach, FL. She is a Past President of ASPAN (2000 to 2001) and a member of the JOPAN Editorial Advisory Board. Conflict of interest: None to report. Address correspondence to Nancy M. Saufl, 114 Pinion Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; e-mail address: nancy.saufl@ fhmmc.org. Ó 2014 by American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses 1089-9472/$36.00 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2014.07.009
Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, Vol 29, No 5 (October), 2014: pp 451-452
The commencement address was delivered by John W. Thiel, also a FSU Alumni. Thiel graduated from FSU in 1983 with a BS in Accounting and currently heads of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He spoke on the foundations of his success, emphasizing three keys for successful living: building relationships with others, investing in yourself, and to never give up on developing your potential.2 He focused on being genuinely interested in other people and trying to see things from the other person’s point of view. But what struck me the most was his encouragement to ‘‘do the right thing every day of your lives.’’ Although doing the right thing seems obvious to all of us, Thiel said that it is not always easy to do. He said ‘‘doing the right thing’’ might make other people upset, might even end relationships, or might make you have to apologize because it’s you who is the one who is wrong. Personally, I have always felt that doing the right thing is the way to live your life, whether it be mentoring new nurses, making daily decisions, and even leading our professional society, American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nursing. I’ve always told my new nurse proteges to make their decisions on what is ‘‘right for the patient,’’ and if they can do that, they will succeed in their career. When making decisions regarding family, work, or career, I’ve always wanted to do the right thing for myself and others. As ASPAN President, 2000 to 2001, I tried to make decisions on what was ‘‘right for the Society’’ and tried to encourage others to do the same. Although some decisions might not be the most popular decisions and might make some people unhappy—if it’s the right thing to do, then it’s the right thing to do. If you make decisions based on what is right, then you can’t go wrong. Sounds simple and seems like common sense doesn’t it? Well, that’s not always the case. How does one know how to make the right decision? To make ethical decisions, a person must know right and wrong (values/principles) and then do it!3 A person must make fair decisions.
451
452
NANCY M. SAUFL
One must be honest, truthful, responsible, and respectful.3 You must be a role model for others and set a good example. I read a quote by author Catherine Aird that said ‘‘if you can’t be a good example then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning.’’3 Well, certainly, none of us want to be a ‘‘horrible warning’’ for any of our peers, colleagues, family, or friends. It’s up to us to speak up and encourage ethical practices. Remember the golden rule or the ‘‘do unto others test.’’3 It’s up to us to let our actions speak for themselves. Even in the First Book of Romans, God speaks about differentiating between what is right and what is wrong. It’s important for all of us to inspire others, promote professional development, nurture those coming behind us, and to be willing to learn new things and adjust to change. As nurses, we must be compassionate and caring as we anticipate the patient’s needs. We must maintain an open
mind and communicate with others. I hope that those new nurses will develop a caring touch and learn to advocate for their patients. If I could speak with each one of them directly, I would want to say ‘‘don’t ever let someone talk you into doing something you know isn’t right because it’s faster or easier. Trust yourself, trust your decisions. Do the right thing!’’ As my family and I left the graduation ceremonies, I found myself hoping that all the graduates, as they embarked on their new life journeys, would never lose the joy they felt that day. I hope that they never run out of opportunities to grow and develop and to realize their individual potential. Each of them has come a long way since first entering the university. I hope that they will let their excitement and delight motivate them in life, and I hope that each one will ‘‘do the right thing every time they can.’’
References 1. Available at: www.news.fsu.edu. News Site of FSU. Three to speak at spring commencement. Accessed July 12, 2014. 2. Available at: www.fsu.edu Commencement speakers offer life lessons to FSU graduates. Accessed July 12, 2014.
3. Available at: www.msstate.edu Do the right thing! Richard Swan, Ethics. Missisipi State University. Accessed July 12, 2014.
