Rachel Chianakas, BSN, RN, a case management nurse who specializes in assisting patients suffering from behavioral health issues, believes that empathy, treating each patient as if they were a family member, and understanding that it is okay for others to have different values and beliefs are critical to treating others with kindness, compassion, and respect in all personal interactions.

Q: "Nurses eat their young," TRUE or FALSE 

A: It depends on the hospital or hospital system, in my experience. I was both welcomed and made to feel as if I needed to prove myself. The worst "bullying" happened when I moved to another state. I was more than qualified for the position; I possessed the necessary skills as well as several advanced certifications, and I was courteous to everyone. It took several months and a few conversations with coworkers that I initiated for me to be recognized as a qualified nurse and team member.

Rachel Chianakas, BSN, RN

Q: What is your specialty, and where do you work?

A: I work in case management, which is a field I never expected to work in. I specialize in assisting patients suffering from behavioral health issues and addiction. I can honestly say that I enjoy my job. I've never been thanked by patients as much as I am right now. I get to watch people grow and get the help they've always wanted but were too afraid to seek on their own.

Q: What does cultural competence imply for healthcare providers? 

A: Empathy, treating each patient as if they were a family member, and understanding that it is okay for others to have different values and beliefs. Keeping this in mind, it is critical to treat others with kindness, compassion, and respect in all personal interactions.

Q: What is your background in nurse unions?

A:I have no background in nurse unions. I live in a state where nurses do not have the option of joining unions, but I am a strong supporter of them. Unions, in my opinion, serve as both a support system and a means of providing nurses with the safety and security they deserve. Now is the time to band together and prioritize nurse unions. The general public is beginning to hear about nurses, which is significant. Never be afraid to express yourself!

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to discuss that we didn't cover in our questions?

A: I am a fervent supporter of patient safety. I had no idea how many people are impacted by medical errors until it happened to me as a patient. I went in for a left lateral partial meniscectomy, which is a very routine and simple knee procedure. I knew something was wrong, but both my surgeon and physical therapist dismissed me and made me feel crazy. The surgeon did not obtain any imaging after my surgery. He looked at me eight weeks later and said, "We could do another MRI, but it will just come back abnormal because you just had surgery on your meniscus." He diagnosed me with sciatica and told me to return in four weeks. 

I also had 8 weeks of physical therapy, during which certain exercises brought me to tears. Fortunately, my neighbor encouraged me to seek a second opinion, and an MRI was immediately ordered. My second surgery with my new surgeon took place shortly after the results were received. Patellar tendon repair, second left lateral partial meniscectomy (tear to the lateral horn), and ACL reconstruction with donor tissue were all performed on me. When the first surgeon inserted the scope, he injured the patellar tendon. The meniscus was never fully repaired, and the ACL had a significant tear that did not exist prior to my first surgery. My new surgeon was shocked to discover that the ACL had attached to the PCL and was bound together with scar tissue. The physical trauma of being dismissed and feeling betrayed by one of your own was nothing compared to the emotional trauma of being dismissed and feeling betrayed by one of your own. I was left in debt after two surgeries and was out of work for a total of 20 weeks. I was not prepared for the physical demands of bedside nursing after my disability expired. As a result, I looked for a new job and eventually landed my current position as a case manager. My life changed the day I had my first surgery because my knee is no longer capable of standing on my feet for long shifts, squatting, kneeling, lifting, or responding to any emergency situation due to physical limitations.

For the first time since my second surgery, I felt at ease when I opened my eyes. I was overjoyed. I was given the best gift I've ever received: the ability to walk and be somewhat active again. I will be eternally grateful to a complete stranger and their family for donating tissue to repair my ACL because using my own tissue was not an option due to the extensive damage my knee sustained.

Since then, I've recognized an opportunity to advocate on behalf of patients who have been harmed (or worse) as a result of malpractice and negligence. Patients rely on healthcare professionals to provide safe and exceptional care. When an error occurs, the patient has the right to be informed.

In retrospect, I wish the first surgeon had been more forthcoming, listened to what I was saying, and cared enough to apologize and hold himself accountable. Unfortunately, he was unable to admit he could have made a mistake and perform appropriate imaging, which resulted in my care being delayed.

I remain committed to my mission of providing compassionate care through meaningful interactions. It is critical to always listen to the patient and to be compassionate. This will foster a culture in which healthcare providers and their patients develop trusting relationships. It goes without saying that our healthcare system is broken and ineffective. I believe it is time for a culture shift and to put pressure on administration to correct the systematic errors that continue to occur. It's time to take a stand, speak your mind, and demand change. No patient should ever have the impression that they cannot trust their healthcare providers or the hospital where they are being treated. Healthcare workers and patients alike deserve better.