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Here’s a little secret: Nurses can be very cruel to each other.
In this episode, Diane Salter, bullying and incivility content expert at the Healthy Workforce Institute and Director of Surgical Services at a Pennsylvania hospital, talks about handling difficult conversations with employees, dealing with disruptive behavior, and creating a healthy work environment. She discusses the challenges and importance of addressing complex issues, such as toxic behaviors and interpersonal conflicts with high stakes, varied opinions, and heightened emotions. In her dialogue with host Renee Thompson, they provide strategies to approach difficult talks effectively and emphasize the importance of leaders not shying away from these conversations but embracing them for stronger relationships and team dynamics. They stress the significance of curiosity, non-judgmental attitudes, and empathy to foster open communication in a workplace that promotes kindness, respect, and professionalism.
Listen to this episode to learn some tips on navigating difficult conversations!
Diane has been a nurse for more than 23 years. She has her BA degree in biology from Lafayette College; her BS in Nursing from York College of Pennsylvania; and her master’s degree in Nursing Administration and Leadership from Chamberlain College of Nursing. Diane is currently the Director of Surgical Services for WellSpan Health Ephrata Community Hospital in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, and is a consultant with the Healthy Workforce Institute.
Diane served on the American Nurses Association #EndNurseAbuse Professional Issues Panel Advisory Committee. In her own healthcare system, Diane has conducted workshops on bullying and incivility for over 3,000 staff members and continues to be the subject expert for her organization. At her former hospital in York, she served on both the hospital-wide workplace violence committee and the employee engagement committee, specifically addressing the topic of abusive behavior.
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A leading authority on creating healthy work cultures by eliminating bullying and incivility in healthcare, with 31+ years of clinical and executive experience. One of only 30 nurses worldwide to earn the Certified Speaking Professional designation.
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