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The First Nursing Salon
I started holding a Nursing Salon in my home a few years ago. I loved the concept of a group of nurses engaging in a thoughtful conversation about the nursing profession. Our Salon started as a small group of four nursing graduate students and a School of Nursing faculty member. Our monthly attendance now reaches 20. Several people have asked me how a Salon works and how they can create one of thier own.
According Utne Reader's book "Salons: The Joy of Conversation," salons are "lively gatherings where people engage in 'big talk' -- talk that amuses, challenges, amazes and is sometimes passionately acted upon." Most importantly, salons are gatherings where each participant forms and informs the conversation; unlike formal meetings, they are opportunities were people can casually connect and share their experiences.
Membership: Although most attendees are nurses, it is not a requirement. The only requirement is a desire to enter into a conversation about nursing. Invitations and reminders are sent to over 50 people via e-mail. Participants find out about the Salon through word-of-mouth and all levels and types of the educational and service institutions in the Twin Cities. We also have independent practitioners and nurses in between careers. We have nurses with Associate Degrees and with the PhDs. It is this diversity of experience, education and interest that makes these salons among the richest conversations any of us have ever experienced.
Format. Salons are held monthly throughout the year. The evening starts at about 6 PM ends at about 9 PM. Dinner generally starts close to 6:30, after some initial socializing. Before the discussion starts, I always ask participants to commit to the ground rule of confidentiality, reminding folks that what is said during the evening’s conversation needs to remain in the room. No one should ever feel at risk for having mentioned specifics about a problem situation or relationship. Then we do an ‘around -the-room’ check-in, asking the question “What is on your mind about nursing tonight?” The trick here is to allow enough explanation for people to understand the issues, without entering into an in-depth conversation at that time. After everyone has had an opportunity to respond, we enter into an in-depth conversation on any topic or topics that have caught the group’s attention. By this time, I am generally serving dessert. Sometimes we move into another room, sometimes we stay at the table, depending on the size of the crowd. At a little before 9 PM, I try to organize a ‘check-out’ around-the-room asking how people are feeling/thinking about nursing after the discussion.
Setting and tone: Early on I knew this event needed to be completely stress-free if it was to succeed. I think it is important that there be no expectations placed on participants. Therefore, we meet in my home and I am responsible for the food. I chose not to go the ‘pot-luck’ route, recognizing that nurses today are juggling an excessive number of pressures and that the expectation of bringing food would just add to that stress. I prepare the food for our salons, but the food issue can be handled in other ways, such as pizza, Chinese or other food purchased already prepared. Freedom from stress is the key. Along those lines, I ask people to let me know if they are coming, but to come even if they forget to RSVP. Participants are always free to invite a like-minded nurse or two, letting me know if possible, but again, if it is not possible, to come anyway. This means of course, that I never know for sure how many to cook for. My rule of thumb has been to plan for twice as many as I know are coming. I’ve never yet run out of food using the “two crock-pot system.”
Over-all response. This has been unbelievable! In this era of negativism, high stress and toxic work environments, the attendees have universally found the Salon positive. We always seem to end up getting in touch with the down-deep values of nursing, and restoring our hope. I have never in my life experienced any event as consistently positive as the Nursing Salon. The check-out at the end of each session assures us that something important is happening at these events.
A final comment. There is never a specific agenda, no decisions are made, no one is responsible for taking action, no reports are written. At first, I thought people would feel frustrated or dissatisfied with no achievable outcomes to measure. I have learned however, that information shared at the Salon has been brought into the lives of the participants in substantial and profound ways. Insights, shared wisdom, deep connectivity and exquisite understanding of the depth of our values both energize and inform the lives of those who attend.
© Copyright 2007 Marie Manthey.
Last update: 6/18/2007; 9:51:47 AM.
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