A Nurse's Perspective: The Halo Effect
The Halo Effect—to see the goodness.
I just got off the phone with my sister, Lisa. She is the Chief Nursing Officer for a large hospital group—which means her role asks her to oversee about 5k nursing staff.
Halo Effect—to See the Goodness
Lisa radiates positivity. She talked about the halo effect. By definition, the halo effect, “ is a form of cognitive bias which causes one part to make the whole seem more attractive or desirable”.
we talked about the pandemic: She told me there is part in all of this, that gives us the “pause”—through this, she feels it’s an awesome responsibility to be given. To keep patient’s, and her nurses safe. “This pandemic has brought us all together. The whole hospital staff (doctors, nurses, etc) have become a team. It’s really incredible to see the positive effects of teamwork, critical thinking, sharing, learning, strategizing how to make smart decisions— not to mention the coming together of the global community. In 2020, we have the ability to teleconference with other hospitals in all parts of the world. It creates an incredible sense of bringing us all together as a world”.
Sheltering In & Flatten The Curve
I told Lisa, I feel kind of helpless staying at home. She said on the contrary— to stay home is the smartest action anyone can take right now, as we just don’t have any other real defense but to flatten the curve. Obviously, there are people who need to show up for work, but if there is an option to stay put, it’s doing your part in a big way. In re-framing the importance of sheltering in I feel comforted. I encourage you to do the same. I know each of us can contribute in our own way— whether that is home-schooling your children, finding creative ways to work from home or avoiding an extra trip to the grocery store.
Nurses
I come from a long line of nurses. My grandmother, my mom and my sister, we are all nurses. For me, I am no longer involved as a staff nurse but head the calling nonetheless:
Let me dedicate my life today,
in the care of those who come my way.
Let me touch each one with healing hand,
and the gentle art for which I stand.
And then tonight when the day is done,
Let me rest in peace,
If I’ve helped just one.
A Big Thank You to all Nurses, Doctors, Staff, and First Responders out there