What is a 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.
Marie,
I heard about your salon from a group of nursing students at the College of St. Catherine where I was doing a presentation. My colleague, Marth Sofio, and I would appreciate being added to your email list.
Thank you,
Ellen Schultz
I’ve recently had a talk with Colleen Person, who told me about the Salon. I’m an explorer in the worlds of hospice, palliative care, volunteerism, standards of practice and community-building in many contexts. Some of my best friends are nurses, and I would appreciate the chance to listen to their practice issues and share some ideas.
Hello! What a wonderful way to connect, share expereriences and celebrate the art of nursing thru time spent sharing with one another. I heard about the salon from Marty Lewis-Hunstiger and would like to be added to the mailing list please. Thank you! Lani Hollenbeck
Marie,
Your salon has been recommended through several of my professors at Metropolitan State University. It would be a joy to participate in this forum. Please add me to your mailing list. Repsectfully, Sue Irle
I am an RN finishing my Masters in nursing with a focus on Leadership and Organizational Management. I currently work as a school nurse. One of the nursing instructors at Metropolitan State University recommended your salon. I would love to be added to your mailing list and to attend your April session if possible.
Tammy Hickey
Marie ~
I was recently hired by CHCM as adjunct faculty to facilitate “Reigniting the Spirit of Caring” – I feel as though I have won the lottery! I had been reading your blog and was advised by Mary K. that being added to your email list was as easy as asking.
If you would please add me to you mailing list, I would be honored to be included in one of your future nursing salons.
Thanks very much and I so look forward to meeting and talking with you and other nursing colleagues. Julie Moe
Hello,
I am an Army Nurse stationed in Korea, and I came accross your salon while researching the nurse-patient relationship for a presentation I will be doing to a group of Korean nurses. I did not know this existed. What a great way to share experiences with other nurses. Please add me to your e mailing list.
Sincerely,
Vilma Rojas, CPT, AN
Vilma….I apologize for the delay in responding. ( When I get real busy, I forget to check the blog.) I hope you also found your way to our website, as the work of the company I founded and am still associated with….is all about the Nurse Patient relationship. How about starting this for either Army Nurses….or a mixture of US and Korean nurses. I suspect there may be a serious language problem there, however. Another thought is to stay with the Army Medical System, but to have it for MD’s and RN’s. We are starting this here in Minneapolis and the topic of conversation will be Collaborative Practice. My ultimate dream is to be having these conversations all over the US….and elsewhere…..to improve interprofessional relations for better coordination of patient care. Let me know how you lecture went and what you think about this idea.
Hi Marie,
I participated a one of your nursing salons a couple years ago and I speak of this enrichment often to other nurses…most have not heard of your thoughtful and innovative conversational forum. Another nurse and I are considering a salon at our place of work. Could I get on your email again…..I’d like to bring her move forward on this soon. Thank you for all that you do for people and the nursing profession. Laura B.
It was good to see you again at the last Salon and I hope to be able to help you and your colleagues get another started here in the Twin Cities. If you do….it will be our fourth one! That means that any nurse in school or in practice can go to the U of M website, the Zeta Chapter link….and look at the calendar to see when and where the Salons will be every month! My dream is to have this happening all over the United States. The article I’ve written but not yet published is called ‘Healing the Nursing Profession’ ….and that is what I see happening as a result of these casual, friendly and informal, deeply meaningful conversations we engage in during the usual Salon. If we sponsor them, they will come. It is happening!
Marie,
I am a senior nursing student at the U of M. You have spoken to my classes a few times. At your next salon I will be attending for the first time. Marty Lewis from Children’s is my leadership mentor and she suggested that we attend. I look forward to hearing real nursing concerns and solutions and to sharing my own.
It was good to meet you last week and I hope you come again and bring a friend. Don’t forget, we have three each month in the Twin Cities and the info about them can be viewed on the Zeta page of the U of Minnesota’s School of Nsg. webpage. Also, if you want to me on the group list, just email me and I will use it to include you in the group.
marie…
i am a physician and narrative medicine facilitator. i was recently introduced to chcm and was intrigued by your blog from Jan 1st “hoping” one day to see interdisciplinary salons between physician, nurses, and others. the narrative work we do is with interdisciplinary healthcare providers, primarily nursing and physicians. we have found the same tone of confidentiality is crucial, the same freedom from stress essential and many of the same benefits are realized over time through a shared wisdom and connectivity through our stories. in essence, if seems we can indeed help ourselves and then we can better help our patients and their families. i hope to hear back from you and chat more about our common ground and the potential to establish interdisciplinary salons.
It was wonderful to read your comments. I look forward to discussing this with you further…..right now my computer is acting very strange and I will just get this posted before I lose it again. When I get home later this week, let’s talk some more. I am intrigued.
Marie, I can’t wait for attending for the first time your Salon. I am trying to reach some resources for going to MN in a very short time (H O P E F U L L Y) until the end of this year.
Then I will really appreciate to share some thoughts with you for starting here in Brazil in a very special place.
I will keep you posted about my plans, and showing the pictures of this very sweet place of mine.
Warm regards, Love and a Brazilian Ciao, Lilia.
Lilia….looking forward to your visit here. Have the dates been set yet? I have scheduled the Salons through December….and you may remember we are now doing three each month here. So you may be able to attend more than one during your visit. ciao.