Keywords

bereavement, coping strategies, educational workshop, employee, grief, palliative care

 

Authors

  1. Jenko, Mimi MN, RN, CHPN, PMHCNS-BC
  2. Seymour, Mary Jane MS, RN-BC
  3. Stone, Eileen MDiv, BCC

Abstract

Many grievers are also employees, struggling to balance the demands of grief with the ongoing responsibilities of the workplace. Despite an employee's efforts to cope and compartmentalize, grief invades in countless ways, creating lessened productivity and low morale. This article chronicles one institution's solution to foster a supportive work culture, where grieving individuals may find the compassion and support so critical in their struggle. The implementation of a biannual employee grief support workshop is described, created, and facilitated by a clinical nurse specialist in palliative care and three board-certified chaplains of an 800-bed regional medical center. Entitled Broken Hearts-Healing Hearts, the workshop provides information and tools to promote healthy choices in grieving and creates a safe forum for expressions of grief. Outcomes, primarily participant feedback from the last 3 years, reinforce the workshop's sustainability and successful format.