Dr. Tara Nichols: Pain Management and Therapeutic Competencies

Marcus is joined by Dr. Tara Nichols, an Advanced Practice Nurse, academic and pain management expert. They discuss what is the definition of pain, how it manifests in different people and how there are no cost solutions to pain control.Dr. Nichols shares her model of pain management and the two discuss how human comfort, recognition and validation all act as elements for pain control. Key topics:[1:58] Dr. Tara Nichols’ background and experience in pain management[6:57] Pain is a perception[10:02] Validating one’s pain and the stress that comes along with that[13:05] Acute vs chronic pain[14:38] Coming up with a self-care plan for pain management with a healthcare professional[33:31] Dr. Nichols shares a beautiful story where she was there for a patient[44:40] The foundation behind Dr. Nichols’ Therapeutic Model of Comfort[47:38] What piece of art would Dr. Nichols take with her on a desert island?[48:57] What fictional character would Dr. Nichols be for a day?[49:56] If Dr. Nichols found $100 today, how would she choose to spend it?Resources for you:Learn more about Dr. Nichols’ Therapeutic Model of Comfort: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29871725/Connect with Dr. Nichols on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-nichols-dnp-arnp-ccns-agcns-bc-pmgt-bc-87589658Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusengel/Subscribe to the podcast: https://bit.ly/CompassionAndCouragePodcastLearn more about Dr. Tara Nichols, DNP, ARNP, CCNS, AGCNS-BC, PMGT-BC:Dr. Nichols is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner, practicing as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pain Management. She started her nursing career as an associate degree nurse and return to school one year later to complete an RN-BSN program. During the completion of the RN-BSN program she was a single-parent and is now a grandmother, just completing her Doctor of Nurse Practice. She is a life-long learner. Dr. Nichols is triple certified in Critical Care, Adult-Gerontology and Pain Management and she is a Relationship Based Care-Caring Science expert.She was the Principle Investigator on a Caring Science Study: Implementing the Relationship Based Care Model and Creating a Flexible and Efficient Workforce. She is a national and international speaker and always begin her presentations with the question what do you believe? She endeavors to challenge healthcare professionals to exam their beliefs to change their behavior about the importance of caring, empathy, and compassionate relationships including self-care and relationships with colleagues and those they care for.Dr. Nichols believes the embodiment of these attributes are necessary for comfort and healing to occur. She applied these beliefs and over 20 years of patient stories to the expansion of the physiology of pain to include the physiology of comfort and published the Nichols-Nelson Theoretical Model of Comfort. As the Program Director of the RN-BSN program at Waldorf University, she brings over 30 years of expertise, education and clinical practice to continue commitment to students. Dr. Nichols understands the diversity of needs and strengths that RN-BSN students bring to their desire to complete their baccalaureate degree and she is at Waldorf University to help make that desire a reality!Date: 03/08/2022Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in HealthcareEpisode title and number: Episode 39 – Dr. Tara Nichols: Pain Management and Therapeutic Competencies