Like many people who end up in nursing, I felt drawn to this profession at a young age due to a personal experience that left an indelible mark on my life. When my father fell seriously ill during my high school years, I stepped into the role of his caregiver, providing support and assistance. Despite his passing, his words lingered – he suggested that being a bedside nurse might be the right path for me.
Motivated by his encouragement and my desire to make a difference in healthcare, I wasted no time. Immediately after high school, I secured a position as a secretary at a local hospital in Florence, South Carolina. Little did I know that this would be the beginning of an incredible journey, ultimately leading me from a secretary to bedside nurse and then a board member.
The Journey of Continuous Learning
I worked my way up from a nursing assistant to a bedside nurse and then a med-surg tech. Motivated and eager to learn more, I pursued various degrees, ranging from LPN to my MSN and MBA. Each step, I viewed as an investment in my personal and professional growth. The more I learned, the more I wanted to contribute to nursing in a meaningful and transformative way.
Challenges That Shaped My Perspective
As I advanced in my career, I encountered challenges that significantly influenced my outlook on healthcare. Two critical challenges that stood out were the pursuit of quality patient care and the need for flexible staffing.
Pursuit of Quality Care: A Shift in Perspective
The landscape of healthcare has shifted towards a more collaborative and patient-focused approach. Bedside nurses, as frontline caregivers, now occupy a central and deeply respected role within patient-centered care. They bring advanced clinical knowledge, providing high-quality, patient-centered care.
Flexible Staffing: Adapting to Change
Traditionally, healthcare scheduling has been rigid, leading to conflicts with family responsibilities and personal well-being. The recent embrace of technology in healthcare scheduling, especially with electronic scheduling systems allowing self-scheduling, is revolutionizing the field. This has empowered nurses to have more control over their schedules, leading to improved work-life balance.
The Role of Technology in Shaping Nursing
The introduction of technology has revolutionized nursing by creating flexibility for both health systems and nurses alike. Electronic scheduling systems, particularly those that allow self-scheduling, empower nurses to have a say in their work schedules, ultimately leading to a much-improved work-life balance.
Looking ahead, I see a future in nursing that prioritizes flexibility and autonomy for healthcare professionals. Healthcare organizations must adapt to this changing paradigm and listen to the frontline staff to provide more accommodating work arrangements. The future of nursing will be marked by increased flexibility, enabling nurses to choose when and how they work, maintaining their work-life balance while delivering quality care.
Predictions for the Future of Nursing and Healthcare Staffing
The nursing and healthcare landscape has undergone significant transformation, and this evolution will continue. Active engagement within the profession, through organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA) and other professional networking groups, is vital. By collectively advocating for change, we can pave the way for increased flexibility and adaptability in our approach to work.
Guiding Principles for Success in Leadership and Nursing
Throughout my career, I have followed a set of guiding principles summarized as CPQI:
Caring: Demonstrating care for oneself and others, mentoring individuals for their success, and aiding their career growth.
Person: Looking out for individuals, being their mentor, and facilitating their progress in their careers.
Quality: Prioritizing the delivery of top-quality care, especially for those in vulnerable states and their families.
Integrity: Upholding unwavering honesty, even in challenging situations, to set an example as a leader worth following and learning from.
Conclusion: Shaping the Future of Healthcare Together
Nursing is not just a profession; it is a calling to make a positive impact on the lives of patients and their families. Embracing flexibility, autonomy, and upholding the values that define us as nurses are crucial. Together, we can shape the future of healthcare and ensure that nursing remains a beacon of compassion and excellence.
