My Tidal Fellowship Story

Sometimes we have so much to say...

And we don’t know where to start

Writing it down is the beginning of saying it out loud

Lisa Rose

As I sat in quiet reflection this morning, I was reminded of something that Phil Barker, author of the Tidal Model of Mental Health Recovery, repeatedly encouraged us to do on his recent visit to the Royal Ottawa Hospital in October 2004. He challenged us to “Write down what you are doing or have done. Write your story!”  In taking up Phil’s challenge, I would like to present to you my story.

In September 2004 I began a professional and personal journey of growth, learning and discovery in the context of the Tidal Model. I was extremely fortunate to be awarded a Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) Advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship. I applied to do this incredible Fellowship because The Tidal Model reflects my own values and beliefs. One of these values or beliefs is to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  As a person in care, I would want someone to be curious; to engage with me; and to learn my story.

  The Fellowship was designed to provide me with 450 hours of mentored practice using the Tidal Model in the unique setting of the Royal Ottawa Place (ROP).  The ROP is a new long-term care facility for people living with serious and persistent mental illness and physical long-term care needs. Through this journey, I was able to gain a wide range of invaluable clinical experience as well as confidence while partnering with these persons in care at the ROP.  This was achieved through a collaborative effort as I worked together with persons in care to complete holistic assessments and to develop a comprehensive plan of care in full partnership with those that I had the pleasure to work with.  It is through this fellowship that I more fully experienced the essence of psychiatric and mental health nursing.

The stories that these persons in care shared with me were wonderfully touching. With the Tidal Model as my vehicle, I was able to experience a fuller engagement and an improved ability to focus on their hopes, wishes, and dreams while developing a better understanding of their nursing needs.  As an example of this, I was blessed to spend time with an 87 year old woman living with dementia who was experiencing her life during our shared time together as a five year old child.  I was curious as to what this experience meant to her and she was kind enough to allow me the privilege of following her as she told me her story of living with her parents, attending school, and going to church.  Her story provided a window of opportunity to connect as we navigated her life together. 

Although initially a stranger at the ROP, over time I became a familiar face at the facility.  Soon other persons would approach me asking “who are you? What do you do here? Can you spend time with me too?”  As I shared time with others I collected a treasure trove of story snippets that will always remain close to my heart; they very clearly indicate that we all need to be heard.

Dr. Nancy Brookes, Nurse Scholar at the Royal Ottawa Hospital, served as my mentor for this Fellowship. I am privileged to have spent many hours talking, sharing and learning with her. Her passion for the Tidal Model has been an inspiration as she provided and supported my rich learning experiences. In this supportive environment, I was also able further developed my leadership, educator, coach and consulting roles.  Clearly this experience was not limited to gaining experience with the Tidal Model but rather nurtured every aspect of my nursing self. 

As an adjunct to this experience, I chose to reflect on and explore the complex concept of HOPE that “arouses a passion for the possible” (Thompson, 1994). My extensive literature review reaffirmed that empowerment strategies can inspire HOPE. 

Do not fear to hope....

Each time we smell the autumn’s dying scent,

We know that primrose time will come again.

 S.T. Coleridge.

In the end, through this incredible experience, I learned that what matters is not the diagnosis, age, gender, or race of those in care.  Rather, each of us wants to be heard and understood. Each of us has a story to tell. It is that simple!