This is an assignment for communication I did for MEPAP1... Just thought I'd share and see if anyone can relate!
"Dear Nursing Department, (Including but not limited to nurses, CNA’s, Doctors and PA’s)
On behalf of the Activity Department I want to, first of all, thank you. Thank you for keeping the residents alive. As blunt as that sounds, that is what you do everyday, and you are very good at it, I might add. Whatever your daily role may be, you may write prescriptions for medicine they need, or administer it. You may feed them or find out what is causing them pain and fix it. You may perform life-giving CPR, or take them to the bathroom for the countless time today. Whatever your role may look like, it is vital for the physical well-being of the resident, and your job is so important.
My job is too. I may not keep them physically alive, I may not have a very impressive degree, but my job is important. It’s my job to help keep them happy, stimulated and growing. It’s my job to get to know them as an individual and help make this place their home. It’s my job to create meaningful activities to engage them and make them feel like they are important, seen, understood and heard. I can help to decrease behaviors and lighten some of the load, because what you carry is important and can get very heavy. I can help you.
I want to help you do your job. I want you to see that what I do is important, and that you can integrate aspects of it into what you do everyday. Working together, we can create a wonderful environment for the residents that we care for. What will it take? Good communication. The ability to listen. Mutual support and respect. Encouragement. When you look at it, what we do may look very different, and it could be argued that my job is unnecessary or even silly. But both of our departments create the foundation of a supportive, nurturing caring department in which the resident can thrive. Isn’t that why we’re here?
Thank you,
The Activities Department"
