From the desk of Danielle Coppola, RN
Certified Psychiatric Nurse.
Being a registered nurse at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Eating Disorders Program for over 17 years, I have learned much. Caring for patients with this most difficult illness, I have seen the different roads that recovery can take.
Being passionate about my role and learning how to communicate with a person who may want to get better but is terrified to do so, is the challenge and the reward at the same time.
Malnutrition wreacks havoc on so many levels; physical, cognitive and emotional. It is so important that we establish a trust with our patients so we can help them take action on things that are frightening for them. As they do, there will be many twists and turns, bad days and good ones. There will be times of frustration and wanting to give up.
I see my role as trying to never let hope disappear, even in the darkest times. For out of this hope, comes perseverance and continuing on in their road to recovery. We are by our patient’s side as they take the necessary risks and as they learn to endure anxiety and become stronger as a result of it.
It is very satisfying to watch our patients utilize positive thoughts, show increased enthusiasm and start to believe in themselves. Once that happens, they learn that truly, anything is possible.
Danielle Coppola, RN
Certified Psychiatric Nurse.
Being a registered nurse at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Eating Disorders Program for over 17 years, I have learned much. Caring for patients with this most difficult illness, I have seen the different roads that recovery can take.
Being passionate about my role and learning how to communicate with a person who may want to get better but is terrified to do so, is the challenge and the reward at the same time.
Malnutrition wreacks havoc on so many levels; physical, cognitive and emotional. It is so important that we establish a trust with our patients so we can help them take action on things that are frightening for them. As they do, there will be many twists and turns, bad days and good ones. There will be times of frustration and wanting to give up.
I see my role as trying to never let hope disappear, even in the darkest times. For out of this hope, comes perseverance and continuing on in their road to recovery. We are by our patient’s side as they take the necessary risks and as they learn to endure anxiety and become stronger as a result of it.
It is very satisfying to watch our patients utilize positive thoughts, show increased enthusiasm and start to believe in themselves. Once that happens, they learn that truly, anything is possible.
Danielle Coppola, RN