My mother joined the Army when I was five, and I grew up traveling the world surrounded by the military. Never once did I have to question what being an American meant or what my country stood for. I understood that I was a member of a free country even though I did not live … Continue reading Where is my United States?

Kristen Bishop MJ, MSN, RN, CPPS, CHC The foundations of our healthcare system are built upon the inherent rights of the individual to have freedom of choice and freedom from government interference. The ability to make an informed healthcare decision without government interference requires both privacy and autonomy. Autonomy is the quality or state of … Continue reading Health Freedom Cannot Exist in a Zero Risk Environment

Kristen Bishop Photo by Caio on Pexels.com My vow to marriage is greater, Than any shame or hate, The public would force on me, From a future they would fate. I would rather stay with him, And find the best within, Than leave a soul in shame, Because of inherent sin. I would rather model … Continue reading The Vow

Kristen Bishop Don’t be confused by the glitter and lace, The fancy dress, and painted face. I am not that woman they want me to be. I never was, I am only me. I am not that woman who will laugh and giggle, Dance and prance, or pose and wiggle. But I am that woman … Continue reading I Am Not That Woman

A leader’s power can be used in multiple ways, for both good and bad. Good leaders understand that employees value both the journey and the destination. A leader who uses power only to reach a destination will destroy employee morale and motivation.  “The measure of a man is what he does with power” (Greek proverb). … Continue reading The Slippery Slope Between Influence and Manipulation

The overall goal of regulatory enforcement is to ensure facilities are compliant with regulatory requirements. When promoting quality care is also the goal of the enforcement agency, then regulatory requirements and enforcement sanctions should be designed to influence the improvement of quality care instead of focusing on the liability of the provider. Federal nursing home … Continue reading Creating Alignment Between Regulatory Oversight and Quality of Care in Nursing Homes

Kristen Bishop MSN, RN, NE-BC, CPPS, OCN Introduction/Problem Statement What action should Pennsylvania take to improve access to human breast milk for infants who do not have access to their birthmother’s milk?  Background Breast milk is the only natural food source for human infants. Present day alternatives to breast milk include artificial infant formula and … Continue reading A Breast Milk Sharing Policy Recommendation

"Know this that every soul is free, To choose his life and what he’ll be…" ~William C. Gregg The definition of mediocre is “of moderate or low quality, value, ability or performance” (Merriam Webster, 2019). For as long as I can remember, I have held a disdain for mediocrity. And for as long as I can … Continue reading Why I Reject Mediocrity, And Choose Excellence

  I was raised by a soldier and spent my childhood surrounded by soldiers. During battle, soldiers do not leave other soldiers behind. The nursing profession is fighting many battles and is currently wounded. A battle to be seen instead of stereotyped. A battle to be whole instead of fractured. A battle to be respected … Continue reading Leave Nobody Behind in Nursing

As a nurse, you are a billboard for the profession. Your actions and words are seen by patients, family, peers and the public every day. Are you portraying the image you want the world to see?  Are you compassionate?  Are you supportive?  Are you nurturing?  Are you civil?  Are you skilled?  Are you knowledgeable?  Are … Continue reading What Message Do You Want to Send Today?