IGNITE Leadership Academy Action Learning Project 2016-17 | Page 4

Michele A Cone
Director of Nursing
Kirkhaven
Effective Pain Management Using
Non-Pharmacological Approaches
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How would you describe your Action Learning Project and the difference you hope it will make
to advance your organization’s mission (or the field) and benefit the individuals you serve?
My Action Learning Project addresses one of the biggest issues that the aging population faces which is pain. Pain affects 75-85
percent of the aging population in care facilities. The idea is to use the Restorative Nursing Program to provide non-pharmacological
approaches to our elders to assist with pain control. The Restorative Nurses Aide would be trained in pain management and would
be responsible for providing non-pharmacological approaches to the aging population such as ice, heat, massage therapy, application
of medicated rubs, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit, walking programs and general stretching exercises.
The Restorative Nurses Aide would be responsible for the implementation of a weekly pain management meeting with the Clinical
Nursing Team. The benefits of an effective pain management program include: decrease in the incidence of depression, decrease in
the incidence of anxiety, increased mobility, beneficial sleep patterns and decrease in behaviors that affect our dementia population.
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How have the relationships you’ve developed as part of your project (with mentors, partners,
stakeholders, etc.) influenced this direction and you as a leader?
The relationships that I have developed as part of this project have enriched my professional life by sharing visions and being
transparent. Over the past several months I have witnessed the mentors, coaches, fellows, and Leaders in Residence share my love
for the aging population. It is inspiring to be in a room with individuals who are transformational leaders and to hear their visions
for the future. It is important for me to share my vision with individuals who have the same value set as me. These values include:
self-sufficiency, individuality, happiness, responsibility, compassion and family. I have learned that in order to be effective as a change
agent you must be transparent. I believe that transparency leads to opportunities.
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What have been important turning points for you, in your own learning, as you’ve engaged with
the action learning process (you might consider a surprise, insight, setback, or challenge)?
The biggest challenge I have faced during this action learning process was the initial skepticism around having Certified Nurses
Aides lead the process of effective pain management. To my surprise, by clarifying the goals of the program, there are now several
members of the Nursing Leadership Team that believe that this program is not only beneficial for our elders but also beneficial to the
growth and development of the Certified Nurses Aides. If you inspire others they will follow.
(Continued on page 5)
LeadingAge New York
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