Nursing Uncharted with Guest Ashley White: The Power of Advocacy and Teamwork in Nursing
Nurses are at the heart of patient care, using their skills, compassion, and expertise to make a difference every day. In Episode 94 of "Nursing Uncharted," we talk with Ashley White, an experienced NICU nurse and travel nurse with over 10 years of experience. Ashley shares her insights on nursing advocacy, improving communication with teams, and the ups and downs of travel nursing.
If you’re a nurse looking for inspiration or practical tips, don’t miss this episode!
Ashley White – A Decade of Dedication to NICU Nursing
Ashley White started her nursing career in 2013 and quickly found her calling in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Driven by a passion for advocating for her tiniest patients, Ashley pursued travel nursing early on in her career, amassing nearly 11 years of experience in different facilities across the United States. "I’ve been nursing for 12 years and traveling for nearly 11," Ashley shared.
Her work has taken her from Little Rock to San Diego and beyond, where she has built an incredible wealth of knowledge and perspective. Ashley’s story is a testament to how passion, paired with relentless advocacy, can elevate the nursing profession and transform care delivery.
The Heart of Advocacy in Nursing
One of the central themes of this episode is the role of advocacy in nursing. Nurses are often described as the "eyes and ears" of doctors, but as Ashley pointed out, this simplistic description can diminish the immense responsibility nurses shoulder. "We’re not just the eyes and ears. We have a brain. We have a very good education to fall back on," Ashley emphasized.
She shared a poignant story about a patient’s post-operative condition not being addressed despite her repeated concerns. Ultimately, Ashley went above and beyond to advocate for the child, even reaching out to another medical team for intervention. While the outcome was heartbreaking, the experience stressed the importance of persistence and the nurse’s role as the ultimate patient advocate.
Ashley’s story aligns with one powerful takeaway from the episode—when you advocate for your patient, don’t give up until your voice is heard.
Actionable Takeaway: The Two Challenge Rule
For those wondering how to speak up, Ashley and host Ann King discussed the "Two Challenge Rule," a simple yet powerful framework for escalating concerns in healthcare. This approach involves:
1. First Challenge – Clearly state your concern using precise, professional language.
2. Second Challenge – If the first challenge is ignored, assertively repeat your concern, emphasizing patient safety and potential risks.
3. Escalation – Should the second challenge fail, escalate the issue by engaging another member of the care team, such as a charge nurse or supervisor.
Additionally, using phrases like "I’m concerned," "I’m uncomfortable," and "This is a safety issue" can capture the attention of medical providers, as these trigger responses within their training. The Two Challenge Rule reminds every nurse that their voice matters in preventing avoidable errors and protecting patients.
Breaking Down Barriers in Nurse-Physician Communication
Ashley and Ann also explored the tricky dynamics of nurse-physician communication. During her travels, Ashley encountered physicians who resisted input from nurses, especially those unfamiliar with their background or experience. She recounted a particularly demoralizing experience with a retiring neonatologist who dismissed her valid concerns and undermined her advocacy.
While such encounters are unnerving, Ashley emphasized the significance of fostering open, respectful communication. “We spend 12 hours or more at the patient’s bedside—we see what others can’t,” she noted. Respecting and valuing this firsthand insight can pave the way for safer and more holistic care.
One way to break down communication barriers is teamwork. Nurses need to cultivate relationships with their colleagues and foster a culture of collaboration that extends to physicians, respiratory therapists, and others in the care circle. When we lean on one another, outcomes improve.
The Challenges and Rewards of Travel Nursing
Travel nursing is both exhilarating and exhausting, as Ashley can attest. While the opportunity to explore new places and learn from diverse teams is enriching, the lack of familiarity with colleagues, workflows, and resources can be a challenge.
“You’re thrown in and travel nursing can be scary,” starts Ashley. Part of Ashley’s communication strategy is to introduce herself at the start of her shift and be upfront about needing guidance. She advised, "Come in and say, ‘Hi, I’m not from this unit, I’m from the NICU so I’m going to have a lot of questions today.’ I had the best experiences going into shifts like that.”
It’s a humble yet effective approach to provide that immediate uncandid connection. She also stressed the importance of being empathetic towards float and travel nurses. "Give them grace. Be kind to them," she urged, reminding us all of the need for mutual respect and understanding within the profession.
Tune In Today
If Ashley’s experiences and insights resonated with you, don’t miss the full conversation in Episode 94 of "Nursing Uncharted." You’ll hear more personal stories, practical tips, and candid discussions about the realities of nursing.
Visit the AMN Healthcare website or your favorite podcast platform to stream the episode. Get involved with the Nursing Uncharted community on Instagram at @amnnurse and stay inspired by joining the ongoing conversation about nursing’s most pressing topics.
