Stacy Dominger
July 2023
Stacy
Dominger
,
BSN, RN, CPN
5W Neuroscience Unit
Wolfson Children's Hospital
Jacksonville
,
FL
United States

 

 

 

“We lobe your help” campaign entails the handing out of goodie bags to all nurses who float to our unit. Each goody bag is comprised of candy and a fun pen. Each bag has a special sticker attached stating, "We lobe your help".
Fiscal Year 2022 was truly a challenge to all who worked within the profession of nursing. Nursing teams at Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital endured staffing crisis, changes in process for patient central monitoring, new documentation format, and preparation for our Magnet recertification and Joint Commission survey. On top of all this, a staffing crisis with an influx of patients occurred. Many Wolfson teams displayed symptoms of stress and fatigue. During the 3rd and 4th quarters of the fiscal year, our unit, 5W experienced staffing challenges. As a unit, we were no longer able to support ourselves to provide quality patient care. Being one Wolfson, other units were asked to assist us with patient care. Unfortunately, this made the floating units run tighter than usual creating staffing challenges on other units. It was a setup for Wolfson nurse dissatisfaction. Stacy Dominger, ANM on 5W, saw manifestations of stress, fatigue, and dissatisfaction not only in her 5W team, but in all who floated to work on 5W. She wanted to do something that would help boost the spirits of her fellow sisters & brothers in nursing. Stacy, being an ANM for eleven years, expressed she has never experienced times like this before. Thus, she wanted to do something to boost morale for her team and for all who floated to 5 Wolfson. She wanted to make a statement to all who floated to 5 Wolfson, we understand you are out of your element, we appreciate your help, and we value the care you are providing to our patients. Stacy started the “We lobe your help” campaign.” (Her icon for the program was a cute friendly brain lobe.) “We lobe your help” campaign entails the handing out of goodie bags to all nurses who float to our unit. Each goody bag is comprised of candy and a fun pen. Each bag has a special sticker attached stating, "we lobe your help". The candy bag is given to the float nurse at the beginning of the shift with a simple thank you for helping us. Stacy wanted to make a difference to all who floated to our unit. She wanted to make sure all nurses experience a sense of value and appreciation. Stacy’s project not only helps the float nurse but also helps boost the morale and well-being of her own team. This special project required the assistance of her fellow teammates. The process of giving the goody bag to the float nurse established a venue for communication between the ANM/Charge nurse and the float nurse. It gave an opportunity to make sure the assignment was not overwhelming for the float, giving the one in charge a sense of relief. It also created a sense of validation for the ANM/Charge nurse that the float nurse was going to thrive throughout the shift. Giving the goody bags allows the opportunity for the float RN to feel that they are valued and cared for and allows the ANM/Charge RN to experience a sense of calm as they maneuver throughout their shift. Giving to others is truly a gift. Stacy's leadership is an even greater gift. She is most deserving of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award! Congratulations and thank you Stacy for all you do!