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Healing Ourselves While Healing Others: Rutgers University Free Webinars for Nurses & General Public

A Guided Webinar Series of Tools and Resources for Support, Safety and Sanctuary during COVID-19. Developed by Rutgers School of Nursing for Nurses - All are Welcome to Attend - Free Registration.

The webinar series is designed and coordinated by our Rutgers School of Nursing alumna, Donna Gaffney, DNSc, PMHCNS-BC. Dr. Donna Gaffney has long addressed trauma, loss and grief in the lives of children, adults, and communities. As a psychotherapist and consultant, she has worked with families, schools, and professionals in the aftermath of tragedies and national disasters, such as the Challenger explosion, the Pan Am 103 crash, Sandy Hook, the Haitian earthquake, and Hurricane Katrina. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Dr. Gaffney was a member of the New Jersey Traumatic Loss Coalition and the State of NJ Disaster Mental Health Services, working with Liberty Science Center, communities, families and professionals. She served on the Families of September 11 advisory board, facilitating one of the first online support groups for family members affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. View Full Bio

1. What We Carry Tuesday 4/7/2020 – 1PM EDT Upon completion of this webinar session, participants will:

  • Identify the responsibilities, worries and concerns they carry for themselves and others. First identified through author Tim O’Brien’s powerful anthology of soldier’s stories in Vietnam, What They Carried.

  • Recognize and name emotions (fear, anxiety, guilt, sadness, etc.) generated by the pandemic and their indispensable work.

  • Build a toolbox for your health and well-being.

  • Prioritize goals through short readings and exercises.

2. Welcoming Self-Compassion, Finding Support and Self-Care Monday 4/13/2020 – 6PM EDT Upon completion of this webinar session, participants will:

  • Identify your ability to provide self-compassion

  • Locate support in your work and personal lives.

  • Recognize toxicity in relationships and environments.

  • Identify and practice mind-body self-care strategies.

3. Offering Compassion and Comfort from a Distance Friday 4/17/2020 – 8:30AM EDT Upon completion of this webinar session, participants will:

  • Describe how to be present for colleagues and patients

  • Develop actions that enhance compassion and comforting

  • Reaffirm compassion for self and others.

4. When Bearing Witness is Too Much to Bear Monday 4/20/2020 – 3PM EDT Upon completion of this webinar session, participants will:

  • Name Trauma and traumatic Responses in yourself, and environment

  • Recognize vicarious trauma

  • Identify when to ask for help

5. Facing Grief and Grieving Thursday 4/23/2020 – Time TBA Upon completion of this webinar session, participants will:

  • Discuss videocalls and saying Goodbye with Patients

  • Recognize your role in a family’s mourning.

  • Discuss loss, grief, and grieving colleagues

  • Recognize vicarious grief

6. Families and Relationships Matter Monday 4/27/2020 – 3PM EDT Upon completion of this webinar session, participants will:

  • Discuss how social distancing can narrow one’s world of support and connection.

  • Make a workable plan when practicing physical distancing and social connections

  • Find effective ways to bridge separations

  • Diffuse tension in relationships.

  • Discuss longing for normalcy

7. Transforming Helplessness Thursday 4/30/2020 – 8:30AM EDT Upon completion of this webinar session, participants will:

  • Recognize and accept vulnerability

  • Reframe uncertainty and fear

  • Identify your best actions and approaches to build growth and strength.

  • Make a difference in your own life and the lives of others

  • Emerge from the pandemic whole and on a journey of healing and growth



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