VOICE | September 2022
Professional Development
The September issue of Voice focuses on professional development, showcasing overviews of programs available at health care organizations. It also features the experiences of first-time managers, new faculty members and nurse leaders preparing to enter the C-suite. In a Hot Topics article, Tim Porter-O’Grady and co-authors offer a reflection on resetting professional governance efforts in post-pandemic settings.
This edition of Voice is dedicated to professional development, covering a wide range of career stages, from advice for first-time managers to preparing for the C-suite. Early on in nursing school, I can remember being prepared to be a lifelong learner. At that time, I was probably a little naïve about what that really entailed. Reflecting back, I’m literally in awe when I consider the layers of education, training, mentorship and support I’ve had throughout my time as a nurse... Continue reading.
Strong teams have skilled players in the game, as well as on the bench. Often the players on the bench have the raw talent of star players and are building experience while they wait for their turn to play. Players can be intentionally developed, strengthening their attributes and increasing their confidence. In health care, nurse leaders can build their “bench strength” by identifying high-potential nurse leaders and then developing them for advancement. Succession planning positions... Continue reading.
Executive presence is an innate quality that is easily recognized, but difficult to identify. While scanning a room of influential people, its existence may emanate more from some than others. The phrase itself carries a strong connotation, yet its meaning cannot be narrowed to consensus (Beeson, 2012). Executive presence, which is believed to be a coachable persona, serves as a broad term describing the polished demeanor individuals embody, including... Continue reading.
Ever wondered about leaving your current position to work in academia? Current nursing faculty shortages have brought this need to the forefront. You may be asking yourself what you want to do for the rest of your career. Do you want to mentor and teach the future nursing workforce? What if nursing research, publishing and presenting findings are your passions? The authors of this article experienced a recent change from working in a hospital setting to academia. Marie Prothero left her position as a chief nursing officer and Jeanette Drake left her position as... Continue reading.
The finance committee of Organization of Nurse Leaders, New Jersey (ONL NJ) made important changes in its role and activities over the past 16 years, providing needed funding for important initiatives and organization infrastructure. With the challenges that COVID-19 added since 2020, this new direction was imperative for organizational success... Continue reading.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has served as a catalyst for accelerating the pace of essential change in nursing and health care. While the pandemic certainly heightened the transparency and visibility of the broken places in social and health services in the United States, the underlying concerns long predated this crisis. For generations, the American health care system has been beset with the challenges associated with access, affordability, viability... Continue reading.
Becoming a nurse leader for the first time is no easy feat, as I learned in June 2019 when I took on the role of manager of three units with nearly 100 direct reports, including RNs, nursing care technicians and clerks.
Transitioning into such a role comes with many unknowns and can be intimidating, but at the same time, it’s exhilarating. Learning how to overcome barriers, bring ideas to the drawing board and successfully run a unit during a pandemic proved to be the biggest challenge. However, it has been one of the most critical transitions I have made in my career... Continue reading.