Nurses week 2018: inspire, innovate, and influence

National Nurses Week takes place each year from May 6-12, with the ending date coinciding with the birth date of Florence Nightingale.

This year’s theme is Nurses: Inspire, Innovate, and Influence. Capella nursing faculty chairs nominated faculty members they feel exemplify that theme and asked them for their reflections on it. The faculty members in turn nominated nursing students who also shared their insights.
 

Q. As a nurse leader, what does it mean to inspire, innovate, or influence?

Faculty member Kristie Lowry, DNP, MSN

I have always thought that my role as a nurse leader is to lift someone else up to a higher role, whether that is a student or a fellow faculty member or employee. I am so proud of my profession, and I proudly proclaim my status as a nurse. It’s important to me that the role of a nurse remains the most recognized and respected profession possible.

When I work with students, I want to encourage their voices to be heard as they learn to effectively collaborate with others in the health care field. With the faculty I lead, my goal is to have them develop independence and confidence in the roles they assume. I respect opinions and ideas. I like open-ended discussions and being involved in decision making. I invest time and energy in knowing the people I work with, and I focus on growing their strengths.

Faculty member Georgann Weissman, DNP, GNP-BC, CNE

As a nurse leader, this means taking on a role that is a way of life, not just a professional life that takes place in a practice environment. Leaders are transformational, using their wealth of knowledge to influence others to make things better. I believe nurse leaders need to have the ability to integrate technical knowledge, empathy, attention to detail, and critical thinking skills. A true leader holds the goals and mission of their organization as a guidepost while also aligning their staff to meet the health care needs of the population they serve.

Faculty member Jo Ann Runewicz, EDD, MSN, RNC

These words have taken on a new meaning for today’s nurse leaders. I drive health care policy and practices to improve quality care outcomes, leverage technology, and advance the nursing profession in the workplace, academia, and community. As an educator, I mentor others ­so that they can create positive change in health care policy and patient care outcomes. As an advanced practice nurse, Reiki Master Teacher, Parish Nurse, and coordinator of a faith-based wellness ministry, I inspire health promotion and growth through the innovation of community education and screening programs. Membership on a prison board dedicated to coordinating and managing quality services for reentry into society helps me keep pace with policy development and community outreach. Participation in nursing organizations brings my voice forward to influence the direction of health care and policy. Today, nurse leaders wear many hats in their commitment to excellence. Being a visionary, critical thinker, role model, and mentor are key to nursing today.

Faculty member Timothy J. Farrell, DNP, MSN, BSN

For me, inspiring means working to prepare the next generation of nursing students to desire more knowledge to improve the nursing profession. Using innovative methods to keep my students engaged is a priority to me. I believe talking with my students, using FaceTime, texting, and making myself available will influence them in a positive manner. I let them know I am here to help them.

DNP student Dana Grant

I’ve been a nurse for 29 years, starting as an LPN and moving through to my current pursuit of a Doctor of Nursing (DNP) degree. As a nursing leader, I believe perseverance is imperative for inspiration and innovation. Despite obstacles in daily life such as work, family, and college stressors, it’s important to keep a positive mindset and not let any challenges stop you from striving for your goals.

DNP student Mary Buck

I find inspiration in the form of a positive attitude held by nurse leaders who value emotional intelligence. To be an innovative and influential leader, one must promote fresh ideas which support evidence-based best practice and ensure positive team dynamics championed through multidisciplinary approaches.
 

 Q. What tips or advice would you give nurses to better inspire, innovate, or influence in the workplace or at school?

Lowry: I think the best piece of advice I can give to any nurse regardless of education level or bedside experience is to NEVER stop learning. If you look for ways to learn and grow every day, you will always find something that will inspire you. It can be something shared from a patient or family member. It can be a new course in the master’s program you registered for. It can be just walking down the hall and helping a stranger find the correct way to the cafeteria. Every day, you have the opportunity to look at an experience and decide to learn from it, whether it’s a great experience or a very bad experience. In the world of nursing, we often have both in the same day.

Weissman: One of the most important aspects of nursing is the varied opportunities available within the profession. I would encourage nurses to continue learning, advance their career, be open to the many new challenges in the health care arena. As a bedside nurse with critical care experience who now is an advocate for early hospice care, I have learned something from every opportunity that I have been open to. I’ve learned to be patient and open to the communication and the interaction.

Franz H. Vergara, PhD, DNP, RN, ONC, CCM

To better inspire or influence our peers in the workplace or at school, nurses will have to show their resilience and humility in the face of the many challenges in health care. Determining a need and seeking assistance when the “edge of our patience turns crispier” may demonstrate with our peers that we are all humans.

Runewicz: A commitment to excellence is essential to policy development, changing health care demands, and patient satisfaction. Nurses need to embrace innovative change, teach, and role model professionalism to inspire others to achieve their career and educational aspirations. Lifelong learning is key to creating positive change in health care policy and equitable access to care. Advanced credentials demonstrate this commitment to excellence.

Lead by example. Change starts with us.

Farrell: I believe one of the best lessons I can share with my students is about self-reflection. Being self-reflective helps a person face life in a professional and respectful way.

Buck: Inspiring fellow nurses and students to innovate requires transformational, transparent leadership. Innovation is achieved through mentoring younger generations of nurses.

Capella University’s online nursing degrees and certificate programs inspire students at all career stages to take their nursing practice to the next level. Learn more about Capella University’sonline nursing programs.