Recently, I have heard several groups discussing the future of healthcare in general, and nursing in particular. The prevailing theme centered on hope in new nurses and aspiring leaders creating changes to reform healthcare.
I thought, “Wow, we really need a leadership revival in healthcare.“
I believe revival must start with the experienced, seasoned nurse and healthcare leaders. I am baffled by the thought of new and aspiring leaders shouldering the burden of transforming nursing and healthcare. Are we, sage nurses and healthcare leaders, so tired that we are ready to relegate our responsibility to the next generation? The time for change is now and I believe it is up to us to collectively apply the sage wisdom of the past and present to bridge and transform the future.
Leaders frequently speak of fatigue, which, of course, is a critical issue that must be addressed. I was sadden by a conversation with a very talented nurse who declared she was not interested in a formal leadership position because of what she had witnessed in her leaders. What portrait of leadership are we painting? As leaders become fatigued, faith slips and fear begins to dominate decision-making. Effects of bad decisions and reactionary stances are evident in healthcare. As experienced leaders, we must revive our dreams and passions. We are the ones who should have a dream so that our aspiring leaders can catch a vision. We have a responsibility to address leader fatigue.
What will it take for us to be revived, replenished, renewed, and restored?
Interesting… I think, it’s experienced leadership’s responsibility to mentor the next generation of leaders, just as a parent mentors his child… to provide the wisdom of true self care as a way to combat the deterrents of leadership. We cannot expect our young staff or our experienced staff to lead or to even care when they are depleted. I think this is the true crux of leadership in the future. What other profession doesn’t sit down for 12 hours, often doesn’t eat, sometimes doesn’t even take a bathroom break? What other profession loses a patient after 10 hours of resuscitation and then is expected to take the next critical admission 10 minutes later? What is wrong with us, our leaders to allow this? Doing nothing just is no longer acceptable. I may not have much time left in a leadership position, but I will spend much of my remaining time working toward improving our resiliency.
Nurse leaders with expereince need to lead the way, through mentorship of new nurse leaders and our staff. It has taken me years to learn if I do not take care of myself I will become tired and unable to set the tone on my unit for my staff enabeling them to care for themselves too. As good leaders we must identify when we need a break to recharge so to speak. Rose you taught me this and I have tried to promote this with my staff.