DiversityNursing Blog

Qualities Of A Successful Nurse Leader

Posted by Erica Bettencourt

Mon, Aug 02, 2021 @ 10:18 AM

GettyImages-1273293709Health care organizations rely on Nurse leaders to manage teams, patient care, and promote organizational goals. In order to meet these goals, a successful Nurse leader must possess certain qualities such as...

Good communication. In healthcare, effective communication can literally be the difference between life and death. 

Nurse leaders should make themselves accessible and establish an environment that promotes an open-door policy so Nurses feel comfortable discussing issues or concerns. Team meetings is another great way to keep regular communication throughout shifts. 

Accountability. Nurse leaders are responsible for creating and maintaining a culture of accountability.

According to Duquesne University, some of the steps to creating a culture of accountability include:

  • Building trust: The foundation for successful workplace accountability is trust. Employees who trust each other are more willing to accept and act on constructive criticism rather than assuming it is ill-willed.
  • Developing strong communication skills: Individuals who use an assertive communication style can express information in an honest, open, and direct manner. The assertive communication style is not aggressive in tone, but instead is respectful and avoids blame and criticism.
  • Developing clear expectations: The American Nurses Association (ANA) outlines the expectations and responsibilities for all Nurses including the overall responsibility for their patients and practice. Nurse leaders should continually remind Nurses of the expectations of practice.
  • Modeling accountability: A workplace that has leaders who accept responsibility and hold themselves and others accountable creates a culture of accountability. Nurses who are leading teams of Nurses must be open to feedback and criticism. 

Emotionally Supportive. Without empathy, you can't build a team or nurture a future generation of leaders. 

Empathy in healthcare means more than just being a sounding board. It requires conscious effort to take a step back and respect a coworker's feelings, needs, and concerns. This process requires a skill set that can be developed with time, practice, and instruction. When healthcare workers can discuss and cope with their emotions, they can better care for their patients and avoid or manage stress that leads to burnout.

Goal Getter. A great Nurse leader is always striving for excellence, and that requires evaluating how the organization is doing, identifying priorities for improvement, setting measurable goals, leading teams to achieve them, and then celebrating those achievements.

Adaptable. The role of a Nurse will always be evolving and changing. Nurse leaders must possess the ability to be flexible and adapt to new environments, technologies, policies, and as we've seen over the last year with COVID-19, global health issues.

These qualities are important throughout the entire Nursing industry, regardless of where you are in your career. Even if you aren't a manager, you can use these leadership skills to motivate your team to be more efficient and productive.

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Topics: nurses, health care, hospitals, nurse leaders, nurse leadership, nurse leader, nurse leader qualities

The Growing Role Of the Chief Nursing Officer

Posted by Erica Bettencourt

Fri, Jan 29, 2021 @ 09:51 AM

CNOChief Nursing Officers have a wide variety of responsibilities. Their role has become more complex with the COVID-19 pandemic, social injustices, and systemic racism in the United States.

The pandemic is straining the healthcare profession. Nurses are under immense stress and Nursing leaders need to use best practices to address the mental and emotional trauma their teams are enduring.

In an article by HealthLeaders, Penn Medicine Princeton Health Chief Nursing Officer, Sheila Kempf, PhD, RN, NEA-BC said they are implementing many strategies to care for Nurses' mental health.

Some of those strategies include training staff to recognize the signs of being at high risk for emotional distress, and when peers should be referred to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Also the hospital has contracted a trauma clinical Psychologist to talk with staff and run support groups with the EAP and the Ministries department.

CNO's should recommend frequent breaks or a quiet space for Nurses to retreat to.

Nurse leaders are also facing the challenges of short staffing, low resources, and supplies.

According to a survey by Inspire Nurse Leaders, 53% of Nurse Leaders reported difficulty meeting work and family needs due to inadequate staffing.

When there is a surge in Covid-19 hospitalizations, it forces hospitals to increase their number of beds. According to Ruth Risley-Gray, SVP and CNO at Aspirus Health Care, in order to meet high demands as they emerge, health systems shift Nurses between departments and facilities.

Risley-Gray also said, health systems need to hire outside help when Nurses become infected or get exposed to the virus. Aspirus is offering Nurses who have at least one year's experience a $15,000 signing bonus, as well as employing contract Nurses via private staffing companies.

2020 not only brought forth a pandemic, it also put a spotlight on systemic racism and racial health disparities.

Sharon Hampton, PhD, RN and Director of Clinical Operations at Stanford Health said, "We've discussed our ethical and moral responsibilities to deal with this crisis. Nursing is really in this position to help the public understand and to advocate."

Healthcare systems and Nurse leaders should be promoting diversity and inclusion at all levels of the workplace.

Kelly Hancock, RN, DNP and Executive CNO of the Cleveland Clinic Health System, said more diversity would help the Nursing workforce “provide more customized, culturally-sensitive and safer care” and “better assess, accommodate and cater to the healthcare needs of different minority groups.”

Those in leadership positions should reflect the diverse patient populations they serve.

According to HealthLeaders Media, a study by the Institute for Diversity and Health Equity found that racial minorities represented 32% of patients in hospitals that participated in the study, but similar representation wasn't found among the health care leadership. According to the study, 19% of first- and mid-level management positions, 14% of hospital board membership positions, and 11% of executive leadership positions were held by racial minorities.

Hospitals and health systems must commit to increasing diversity within their leadership to improve patient outcomes, reduce racial health disparities, and build stronger communities.

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Topics: CNO, chief nursing officer, nurse leaders, nurse leadership, COVID-19, role of the CNO, role of the Chief Nursing Officer, systemic racism

How To Be a Great Nurse Leader During COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted by Erica Bettencourt

Tue, Nov 03, 2020 @ 03:09 PM

nurseleadercovidThe Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) role was created by the American Association of Colleges in Nursing (AACN) in 2003.

According to a journal from the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, The CNL understands microsystem issues and their relationship to larger organizational issues. This perspective provides a two-way flow of information to and from health system leaders as they direct an institutional response to the pandemic around issues such as assessing patterns of spread, patient acuity, appropriate staffing levels, and personal protective equipment utilization.

A successful CNL must be confident in their communication abilities. They're expected to provide the coaching and direction staff needs to adapt to frequent changes. Whether it be transforming hospital departments into COVID-19 units or creating sanitation and PPE protocols for staff.

Communication is also key in keeping staff informed and calm throughout the pandemic by addressing any questions or concerns they have. Nurses want to feel that management has their backs, and CNLs are the ones they will look to in times of need.

Leaders should be responsible for supporting the well-being and mental health of the healthcare team. CNLs should advocate for adequate programs and resources for Nurses to cope and deal with stress.

Not only should Nurse leaders advocate for their fellow Nurses, they should also be the voice for their patients.  According to NursingCenter, the CNL acts as a patient advocate by incorporating patients' unique values, desires, needs, and perspectives into patient care delivery.

Another way Nurse leaders advocate for patients during COVID-19 is providing a way for patients to communicate with their families. Because of the pandemic, visitation is prohibited. Leaders work with management to provide devices for patients to see and talk with loved ones.

Lastly, a successful Nurse leader must be resilient. Personal resilience is key and leaders can find it by…

  • Letting go of what they can't control
  • Leading with their head as well as their heart
  • Showing strength through vulnerability

The CNL is a valuable member of the Nursing profession and team. They do their best to maintain safety while providing the best patient care possible during this extremely stressful pandemic.

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Topics: CNL, nurse leaders, clinical nurse leader, nurse leader

What It Takes To Be A Great Nurse Leader

Posted by Erica Bettencourt

Tue, Apr 23, 2019 @ 11:41 AM

nurseleaderPatient numbers are growing and so is the pressure for health care organizations to operate efficiently. Educated and experienced Nurse leaders are needed to manage teams, patient care, and promote organizational goals. In order to accomplish these goals, a successful Nurse leader must possess certain qualities that include...

Critical-Thinking and Decision-Making Skills

A Mississippi College article said, "Whether developing technology, advocating for patients, or running hospitals, Nurses need decision-making skills. For example, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) says Nurse leaders must identify problems and areas of waste, devise and implement plans for improvement, and make necessary adjustments to achieve goals. These responsibilities require an ability to analyze problems, look at the bigger picture, and devise solutions."

Relationship Management

According to Lippincott Solutions, Nurse leaders must be able to manage relationships with a wide variety of individuals because collaboration and team work are required to deliver high-quality patient care. Effective communication skills are keys to managing any relationship, but they’re especially important to Nurse leaders who must engage in a variety of relationships. These skills are also important for resolving conflicts and moving toward common goals.

Mentoring and Creating Future Leaders

In an ANA article, the quote “If your unit or department can run without you, you have done your job.” is very true. A successful leader will mentor and invest in experienced Nurses as a succession strategy to help guarantee the team's mission and values remain intact well into the future.

If you believe you posses these qualities and are interested in becoming a Nurse leader, there are different roles you can aspire to become. Some leadership roles include Head Nurse, Patient Care Director, Middle Level Management, Chief Nursing Officer, and CEO.

There are steps you can take in achieving a new leadership position.

Hospitals often need Nurses to serve on volunteer committees or advisory boards. Becoming a volunteer is an additional way to demonstrate leadership initiative. By offering your time, you’re proving to upper management that you truly care about helping your healthcare facility be the best it can be.

Earning your Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) could be the key to opening up a world of leadership opportunities in your Nursing career, according to Nurse Journal. Not only will your MSN courses help you sharpen your leadership skills and acquire qualifications for more advanced positions, MSN degrees often offer areas of specialization you can pursue.

Are you a Nurse leader and have helpful tips you'd like to share? Is there a Nurse leader you look up to and want to share what characteristics inspire you? Please comment below – we would love to hear from you!

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Topics: nurse leaders, nurse leadership

Healthcare Boards Have Many Reasons To Embrace Nurse Leaders

Posted by Pat Magrath

Mon, Jan 16, 2017 @ 03:42 PM

Nurse-leadership.jpgNurses are smart, compassionate individuals with excellent training and creative ideas. With that said, why aren’t there more Nurse Leaders on the board of their place of employment? We know boards are always looking at the bottom line, ways to save money, and grow their business. But think about it, some Nurse Leaders have extensive business experience in addition to their healthcare background. They bring a unique perspective because of their education and experience. They know what’s important to patients and also… what isn’t.
 
A Nurse Leader has first-hand knowledge of where money is being wasted. With his/her input, the board will gain valuable insight and hopefully make decisions to improve quality patient care as well as achieve a healthier bottom line. Is there a Nurse Leader on your board?

In the wake of the 2016 election and a changing context for healthcare decision-making, health systems that expand the scope of board dialogue will have a strategic advantage.

Into what was already a rapidly if not chaotically changing healthcare marketplace, there may be major changes from a new presidential administration. There is no better time to get all the right players at the table. Care providers facing the many changes and uncertainties associated with healthcare during Donald Trump’s administration will need diverse board-level input and timely feedback from their core employee sector, nursing, and its insider’s perspective on the patient experience. 

We view this as an optimal time for health systems to add a nurse leader to their boards because the profession’s caregiving expertise and awareness of patient perspectives is needed for sound strategic decision-making. Drawing on our many years of work together as a former health system CEO and as a nurse executive board member, here’s our short list of ways a nurse with high-level business expertise can help a health system board strengthen profitability and patient outcomes.

Balanced board focus

A nurse who has a strong business background and substantial healthcare experience can offer practical, useful input to improve a health system’s board governance. When Kathy first joined the Alegent board, she urged the board to balance its time equally between finance and quality outcomes, patient safety and quality care.

That was a turning point in the organization’s governance. Prior to her input, board meetings had focused primarily on finance and reviewing financial results because that’s what board members most understood. The board needed to focus on the core business of quality care. As time went on, finance was relegated to a lesser part of board meetings because those reports could be sent in advance and continued to be management’s responsibility.

Rick: Kathy first and foremost earned the respect and trust of the board as a very strong business leader and colleague with substantial healthcare experience. She could stand toe-to-toe with any board member on any topic. She also brought nursing experience and the unique dimension of clinical care, an array of experiences and perspectives our board didn’t have before.

Kathy: Nurses understand what it is to deliver human services and generally find themselves in the role of patient advocate and touchpoint for all activities in a hospital. My perspective was broader because I was a senior vice president of a Fortune 500 healthcare company. In addition to my passion for the mission, my experience was corporate and profit-oriented. My focus was on making sure you deliver care as efficiently and cost-effectively for the best outcomes.  

Return on investment 

To improve quality outcomes, resource utilization and financial metrics, it’s critical that nursing leadership and front-line nurses, executives and board governance are all in partnership. Without that, change is simply not possible. Across the board, Alegent’s measures improved dramatically after it dedicated resources to improving outcomes for direct hands-on care of patients. This core business is affected directly by nursing across the enterprise. At Alegent, we could link a clear set of statistics and graphs for a variety of outcomes to the impact of Kathy’s input and expectations.

Kathy: When I joined the board, we had no board committees working on quality. It was easy to make the case that the board ultimately has responsibility for quality outcomes. A lot of people think having better quality may cost more money. Actually, you get a return on investment if you deliver higher quality, and you can easily reduce your costs.

Rick: We took Kathy’s recommendation to focus on quality patient care very seriously and found the resources to make this happen. We ended up with a strong team of quality experts, physicians, nurses and colleagues with analytical skills—some of whom we hired and some of whom we moved into leadership roles. We became national leaders in quality outcomes. Our company’s quality scores were on par with Johns Hopkins (Health System) and Cleveland Clinic and were ahead of the Mayo Clinic.

Blind spot protection

A board without diverse perspectives risks overlooking uncomfortable yet important issues.

Rick: Kathy could challenge management and the board in ways nobody else could because of her experience and knowledge. She pressed management on quality outcomes when they began to be published publicly. I will never forget the day we reported wonderful quality outcomes scores for our metropolitan hospitals. Our rural hospitals weren’t reporting the same scores. Kathy said,“Our company’s name is on those buildings too. Why aren’t we delivering the same care there?” There was dead silence. That type of feedback—pointing to conversations our board needed to have—was exactly what I needed as president and later CEO. Thanks to Kathy’s input, we put resources and focus on quality outcomes in our rural hospitals and brought them quickly into the top decile nationally with comparable care.

Kathy: We achieved these quality improvements because our hospital administrative leadership team took on this challenge; they creatively led changes in our culture and processes, and committed resources to make it happen.

Pivot to the future

The nursing profession has dedicated itself to empowering people with comparable stature and skills as other board members to share nursing’s valuable perspective on the front-line business. That’s why we joined the American Nurses Foundation’s effort to increase the number of nurses on boards, building on its impact as a founding member of the national Nurses on Boards Coalition.

There is a ready cohort of nurse leaders with the governance and healthcare expertise to be excellent board members. All the board has to do is get them oriented to the organization. This next-generation cadre of nurse leaders is ready for an important task. Their input on behalf of the critical issues and the bigger picture will be essential to protecting and reinforcing the nation’s vital healthcare sector in the coming era.

If you have any questions feel free to ask one of our Nurse Leaders who are always here to help!
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Topics: nurse leaders, nurse leadership

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