Sue Shirato, a nurse at Jefferson Heart Institute, introduces herself to patients as “Dr. Shirato.” How can this be? Dr. Shirato is a nurse who holds a doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) degree. Confused yet? (see Nurses Who Are Doctors).
This change in credential, which is on the rise nationally, is significantly impacting the culture of healthcare. Traditionally, the title “Doctor” has been reserved for physicians, pharmacists, psychologists, chiropractors, and university professors with Ph.D.s. With the proliferation of practice-based doctorates like the DNP, who gets to lay claim to the title …

When the tides of cultural change are upon you, there can be comfort in stability. Let’s face it: uncertainty, anxiety, and imbalance create fear and resistance.
Change is inevitable and something that employees are beginning to adapt to, but creating stability within change initiatives can help you more effectively manage the human side of change.
Here are 6 ways to create stability during change:
1. Reinforce your values, mission, and guiding behaviors of your practice.
2. Remain appreciative and positive about individuals’ contributions.
3. Focus on how the change will enhance those …

As a communication professional, I am intrigued by the social media tidal wave that is transforming business and society.
Upon reading Problogger’s 30 Bloggers to Watch in 2010 I was struck by how many bloggers are blogging about blogging.
This metaphenomenon (i.e., a thing that is about the thing itself) is akin to a singer singing songs about song writing or a teacher teaching courses about teaching. It’s certainly not unheard of, but nonetheless the question stands: Why are there so many blogs about blogging?
Here are a few explanations …

Sustainable change is difficult to foster, in part, because most people work as if they were in a dream state. We trick ourselves into thinking that “business as usual” is working; that external forces are outside of our control; that if we simply standby and go through the motions, things will improve.
These dreams, false perceptions, delusions–call them what you will–illustrate the confusion that many people have about what is real and what is fiction.
To produce positive change, the first thing you have to do is wake up! Waking …

Don’t be ashamed; we all have voices in our head. Some of us do a better job of listening to the message that these voices are sending.
Interestingly, when searching for new talent, employers look for candidates with an “ability to interact and communicate effectively with others. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.”
Presumably, if you communicate well with others, then you must communicate effectively with yourself? The truth is, many people don’t engage in productive self-talk or intrapersonal communication.
Here are a few questions to help you learn from the …