Adapting to new tempos: How musical experience helps a nurse find new ways to deliver compassionate care

We spoke to Sarabeth, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Mount Sinai Hospital’s Surgery and Oncology program, to learn more about her work and how she’s an advocate for clinical innovation both inside and outside of Sinai Health.

This profile is part of a series highlighting Science of Care at Sinai Health.

What excites you most about research and innovation at Sinai Health?

Sinai Health has a reputation for pushing boundaries when it comes to generating new knowledge. More than ever, I’m seeing inspiring clinicians take their ideas to the next level. As a leader, there’s nothing that makes me prouder than seeing nurses engaged in research and innovation initiatives. The dedication and passion they provide through patient care translates to a desire for making a meaningful impact on nursing and the patient experience. I hope to encourage and support our nurses at every step and I am excited to see their ideas unfold.

How does your previous role as a bedside nurse inform your work with Science of Care?

As a Clinical Nurse Specialist, I support patients and our teams by using my previous bedside experience to guide and support clinical decision making. It was my time as a point of care nurse that ignited my interest in oral care, a fundamental but often overlooked part of care. Moving from the front-line to a leadership position, I’ve mobilized resources needed to explore the root causes of gaps in oral care. With help from research experts and an interdisciplinary team, our work in oral care has endless potential.

How does your work contribute to advancing Science of Care at Sinai Health?

I’m a proud ambassador for Sinai Health! This January, I was chosen to be the Canadian representative for Sigma Theta Tau International’s 2020 Nightingale Challenge cohort. The Nightingale Challenge is an international initiative from “Nursing Now” which develops leadership skills in young nurses through global networking. The opportunity motivated me to help advance Science of Care even further by submitting a manuscript to the Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. The co-written paper spoke about the importance of Protected Code Blue simulations with the ongoing pandemic.

I also had the honour of receiving this year’s Innovation Seed Grant from the Nursing Leadership Network of Ontario which will support our ongoing efforts related to oral care and provides another platform to share our work. I hope that by advancing Science of Care, I can build capacity for other clinicians to follow my lead.  

Tell us one thing that your Sinai Health colleagues might not know about you.

I once explored a career as a professional musician. In high school, I played at an advanced level and wanted to pursue trumpet performance. I’ve toured Germany and Austria and had the opportunity to play at Carnegie Hall in New York City. What I’ve learned as a musician informs my everyday practice, from establishing harmonies in a group setting, to adapting to new tempos and following the lead of our conductor.