True Care Home Care

I did not attend college after high school. Instead, I pursued a variety of administrative jobs, always in people-facing positions, that allowed me to help and care for others. When I found myself as a young single mother with two small children, I applied to nursing school so I could be a part of a respected profession and provide stability for my family. Over the years my motivation has continued to be to help and care for people. I am passionate about honoring my patients’ individuality and autonomy and ensuring their dignity while also supporting the clinicians and caregivers, so they feel supported and provide the best possible care. My leadership doesn’t change based on the healthcare setting. I look at each situation as an opportunity to help others grow and feel valued. I always consider how I would want to be treated by my supervisor; therefore, I manage employee interactions with care and respect.

As a new nurse, I noticed that compliance and regulations were not always upheld, this concerned and confused me. When I moved into leadership positions, I quickly realized that it was my responsibility to set the standard and I was proud to stand my ground when advocating for the patients and caregivers. My compliance strategies remain the same regardless of the healthcare setting; I comprehensively research the situation, consider all sides and possibilities, and then determine the best course of action based on regulation and safety.

As a senior healthcare administrator, the most signifcant compliance and quality assurance challenges are balancing regulation, ethics and what is right. I always consider the human factor, whether it is a patient-related matter or a staff-related matter. The regulation is typically black and white but caring for people and their feelings is not always so simple. I must uphold regulatory compliance without exception, and at the same time, I have to consider peoples’ feelings and the entirety of the situation.

“The regulation is typically black and white but caring for people and their feelings is not always so simple. I must uphold regulatory compliance without exception, and at the same time, I have to consider peoples’ feelings and the entirety of the situation.”

Inspiring clinical and non-clinical staff requires consistent effort. The training content has to be accurate, comprehensive, easy to understand and relatable, but creating the content is only a small part of the process. Training methods and delivery systems need to be carefully explored, and multiple approaches are the most successful. The staff is a large and diverse group with different educational backgrounds, schedules and experiences. Multiple platforms should be available for staff development and training to ensure that all learning levels and styles are supported.

As an experienced healthcare leader, I often feel as though I’ve heard it all, and I am never surprised or stressed by unusual or emergency situations. One of the key lessons I’ve learned is that each patient is an individual. They are each having an experience that is new to them even though it may not be new to me. I can’t jump to conclusions or make assumptions based on my experiences. In those moments, I put myself in the patient’s place and look at the situation from their point of view and respond with empathy and patience.

Nurses should consider leadership roles; there are so many options and levels to consider. We become nurses to care for others, and a leadership role allows us to reach a large group of patients and caregivers. Being a nurse leader means always learning and growing in clinical and people skills. Nursing who are interested in prusuing this career path should be ready to maintain an unwavering commitment to ethics and regulation while consistently seeking new solutions and opportunities.