Charge Nurse University?

According to Heather Malcolm (2013), due to the shortage of nurses projected for 2020, there also will be a dearth of nurse leaders.  To stem the tide, West Virginia University Healthcare has created a leadership development program called Charge Nurse University (CNU).  The goal is to train skilled nurses to be nurse leaders.

I’ve now been a charge nurse at two hospitals.  The responsibilities at each location have been significantly different, but one characteristic of the charge nurse that appears to be consistent at both locations is an ability to be a leader.  The staff on the floor must have confidence in the charge nurse.  In many cases, nurse leaders are appointed based on their clinical nursing ability or willingness to serve – not their abilities to manage or lead (Malcolm, 2013). 

According to the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), core competencies common to nurses in executive practice include: communication and relationship building; knowledge of the health care environment; professionalism; business skills and leadership.  I imagine each of us can think of nurse leaders who demonstrate these competencies better than others.  On the flip-side, each of us has varying innate abilities to lead.  How do I stack up?  How do you stack up?  A self-assessment of strengths and weakness may or may not reflect the opinions others have of us.  According to Seth Godin, the changing marketplace requires each of us to consider ourselves as leaders (2008).  With that in mind, what lengths are we willing to go to become leaders? 

Image is powerful

Ask yourself these simple questions.  What role does image play in your life?  How much of your image is under your control? How do you perceive yourself?  How do others perceive you?  Does your image matter to you?

I argue that, like it or not, image matters to each of us.  Certainly, some worry about image more than others.  But, each of us feels social pressure to present ourselves in a particular way.  For me, I value education, intelligence, social responsibility, and hard work.  I place less importance on fashion, material possessions, and power.

Now consider those factors that are out of your control, such as gender, race, height, beauty, cognitive abilities, etc.  What role do these factors play in your perceived successes and your perceived failures?  Not only am I intrigued with the notion that I am the master of my own destiny, but I am also fascinated by those factors that are out of my control.  For example, as a white male in American society, I have been afforded access to opportunities that female minorities have not.  It is not that a black woman cannot achieve great successes in this country.  Just look at Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State.  However, one cannot argue that her obstacles were far different than mine.

Perhaps I am having difficulty illustrating my point or you are having difficulty believing the notion that factors beyond our control can play a significant role in our achievements.  So, I turned to TED Talks and found a video of a presentation by Cameron Russell.    This former Victoria’s Secret runway model clearly articulates that: 1) image is powerful, 2) image is superficial, and 3) she won a genetic lottery.

http://embed.ted.com/talks/cameron_russell_looks_aren_t_everything_believe_me_i_m_a_model.html"

I believe Ms. Russell succinctly illustrates how factors beyond our control play a vital role in our social trajectory.  So, why am I posing these questions about image?  I am doing so because I believe it relates to a greater social issue: health disparities in this country.  I ask you to contemplate those factors that are out of your control and how they have helped or hindered you on your path to achieving your goals.  Next, I hope you will consider these factors when you are at the bedside of each of your patients.  What roles do the inequities of life play in how your patient arrived at their current health situation? The disparity in health outcomes in the United States is a complex issue and reaches far beyond image.    But, clearly, taking into consideration the riches that have been afforded to each of us (for no other reason than our genetics) is a good place to start when considering ways to address the problem of health disparities in this country.  As Ms. Russell posited, what 'free stuff' do you receive?

A beginning

While this blog is a requirement for a BSN  Nursing Informatics course I am taking at Southwest Baptist University, it is one I have been mulling over for quite some time.  Sure, there is probably an overabundance of blogs.  Presumably, those of us who start blogs have a voice we believe needs to be heard - even if among a limited circle of friends.  Mine is not a grandiose aspiration (yes, I shamelessly used the word "grandiose", Mr. Hester, former AP English instructor at Craigmont High School).  Rather, I hope to reach an audience who is intrigued by science, who has some facility with health information, and who is interested in how I can make this entertaining.

More recently, I have become inspired by Seth Godin and his book, Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us.  The basic premise is that we should each consider ourselves leaders.  Leaders attract a tribe of followers who seek our lead - whether it is a small knitting circle of friends we form to amuse ourselves or a cutting edge personal electronics company attracting gadget aficionados a la Steve Jobs.  Thus, I have titled my blog "Leads in the Weeds".  This alludes to the fact that I am most certainly not in a placid, peaceful clearing.  Instead, I have juxtaposed myself, purposely, in the weeds.  In the weeds, I find myself entwined in information, seeking clarity and understanding.  Science seems like a good starting point.  Nursing - well, that's a natural springboard, too.  Can I make you laugh while doing so?  I certainly hope so, but I make no promises.

Namaste,

Karl