Leading and Inspiring HEALTHY Nurse Careers

Dennis Sherrod, EdD, RNProfessor and Forsyth Medical Center Endowed Chair of Recruitment & RetentionWinston-Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem, NC

Terrence Keenan Nursing Leadership LectureRWJF Executive Nurse Fellows Alumni Association

National Student Nurses AssociationCharlotte, NC

CONGRATULATIONS!

Welcome to North Carolina

HEALTHY Campaign: Healing, Enlightening And Loving The Healthy You!

Healing – Self-AwarenessEnlightening – Self-DiscoveryLoving the Healthy You – Work-Life Integration

I’m Awake! I’m Alive! It’s great to be in nursing!

Self-Awareness

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all

wisdom.Aristotle

Be Passionate in Your Workplace

Develop and maintain skills and competenciesBuild on experiences/expertiseIdentify areas for self-developmentInvest in yourselfMaintain a passion for people

Improve Value of Your ValuablesObjectively assess the value of what you do for your employerBe a problem solverFocus on strategic initiatives

Patient satisfactionQuality improvementPatient centered care

Develop Your Market Brand

Develop your brandIdentify your passion(s)What type of work would you like to do?How do your peers or coworkers describe you?Write goals, mission, vision, and personal brand statement (what you do and who you serve)Your self-impression = How people perceive you

(Schawbel, 2009)

Sell YourselfDocument your accomplishmentsLook for opportunities to highlight your successKeep a “receipt” or “thank you note” fileMake sure the right people know where you’re adding valueIf self-application is allowed for awards, consider it

Self-Discovery

The best way to find yourself is to loose

yourself in the service of others

Mahatma Gandi

Career

What type of work would you like to do in nursing?What setting would you like to work in?What patient populations would you like to interact with?What skills are you proud of?What do you need to do to make your preferences happen?

(Verstraelen, 2008)

Work Your Network

Consider unit, organization, regional, state, and national networksDevelop 30-second storyConnect with peopleIdentify individuals and groups compatible with your goals and ask for introductionsBe helpful and share info freelyFollow up on promisesIdentify mentors

Flex Your FlexibilityMake change a part of your daily operationBe willing to try new things and develop new skillsImagine how the change will affect you to decrease feelings of uncertaintyMany things people imagined they could not adjust to – now we could never do without – computers, PDAs, Smartphones, copiers, voicemail, email, etc.Consider a setting change and willingness to work for less money – if it makes you happy

New Grad Year 10-3 months

Focus on own learning needs such as unit routines and proceduresTask focusedLittle time for “thinking”

4-6 monthsSkills acquiredMore confidentBegin to think critically

(Duchscher, 2001)

New Grad Year 17-12 months

Clarify expectations of nursing careFocus on holistic nursingBegin to integrate evidence-based practice

6-12 months Most difficult role adjustment time period

(Jasper, 1996; Duchscher, 2001; Ferguson & Day, 2007)

Develop Leader Competencies

Leader

Emotional Intelligence

Lifelong Learning

Implementing a Vision

Developing a Vision

Emotional Intelligence

Communication skillsInterpersonal skillsEmpathyRealistic self-assessmentOpennessRequest opinions of othersGood listening skills

Lifelong Learning

MotivationCuriosityDriveInitiativeEnthusiasmAdaptabilityDesire to grow, develop and learn

Developing a Vision

Creating visionSeeking challengesRisk takingCommitmentAbility to see big pictureOpenness to different solutions

Implementing a Vision

Ability to motivate othersMaximize others to use skillsOpenness to different solutionsCommitmentOptimismCelebrate victoriesRecognize others

Work-LifeIntegration Strategies

You will never find time for anything. If you want time you must

make it.Charles Buxton

Maintain and Improve Your Health

Exercise at least 30 minutes 4 to 5 times weeklyAvoid tobaccoKnow family historyEat more fruits/vegetables and fewer processed foodsStress reductionRegular checkups, screenings, and immunizations

(Santa et al., 2011)

Exude Positivity

Demonstrate a positive attitudeNo whiningNo threatsRemind yourself of your past successesIdentify things for which you are thankfulDevelop solutionsWork on a personal goal that energizes you

Keep yourself stimulated, challenged, and working towards a goal. Remind

yourself each day you are making a difference in

people’s lives.Dennis Sherrod

References

Lague, L. (2013). Quiz: How self aware are you? Ladies Home Journal. Retrieved from http://www.lhj.com/lhj/quiz.jsp?quizId=/templatedata/lhj/quiz/data/HowSelfAwareAreYouQuiz_07152004.xml&catref=cat4570002&_requestid=2003703Santa, J., Lipman, M., Avitzur, O., & Mosquera, J. (September, 2011). You asked and our doctors answered. Consumer Reports. p. 12.

References

Schawbel, D. (Februry 5, 2009). Personal Branding 101: How to Discover and Create Your Brand. Mashable. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2009/02/05/personal-branding-101/Verstraelen, N. (2008). The process of self discovery. Retrieved from http://selfdiscoverylessons.wordpress.com/2008/02/05/self-discovery-questions/