We are what we repeatedly do therefore Excellence, is not an act but a habit" - Artistotle

Excellence

"As nursing professionals, we certainly have a responsibility to strive for excellence in our own practice.  Excellence and leadership are blended concepts with the idea of professional involvement throughout ones career as a means to promote nursing and create a preferred  future for our profession" (Grossman, 2009, p. 181)

Lets first understand what excellence looks like: 

Excellence means

• Striving to be the very best in everything that you do because you cannot image functioning in any other way.
• Setting high standards for yourself and holding yourself to those standards despite challenges
• Not being satisfied with anything less than the very best
• Individuals do not and will not settle for second best, mediocre performance or just getting by
• Individuals question and challenge the status quo by asking why things are done the way they are, examining the assumptions that underline existing practices and offering realistic alternatives

And what represents excellence?

Excellence Involves

Discipline, Choreography, Responsibility, Caring, Skepticism, Perseverance & Passion

I LOVED one of the passages from the book The New Leadership Challenge Creating the Future of Nursing by Sheila Grossman, 

"we must learn to honor excellence in every socially accepted human activity.  An excellent plumber is infinitely more admirable than an incompetent philosopher.  The society that scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water" (Grossman, 2009, p.185).  

I thought this was an exceptional quote because it made me reflect on how everything that we do, even in society revolves around a TEAM.  Every discipline within the team is as important as the next.  We need to start appreciating more and realizing that we all need each other.  We all have our place in society where we personally excel whether its being a mother, or a farmer; we are all willing participants working towards the same goal, a well functioning and productive society.  

"If we are not striving for excellence we are selling ourselves short, and doing little to advance the profession of nursing and ensuring quality of care"(Grossman, 2009, p. 183)

Please view this inspirational video.  It is absolutely wonderful!!

Motivational Video Inspires Excellence

"Excellence can be attained by...

CARING more than others think is wise, RISKING more than others think is safe, DREAMING more than others think is practical, and EXPECTING more than others think is possible.

(Grossman, 2009, 191)

I encourage you to, as nurses and future nurses to take on the challenge of bringing excellence and leadership with you into the nursing profession and into your own personal lives.

What will you do to promote and contribute to excellence in your field of practice? 

Reference
Grossman, S. C., & Valiga, T. M. (2009). The new leadership challenge: creating the future of nursing, 3e.  Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company

"Determine What the future will be rather then merely reacting to it as it happens"- Grossman

CREATING A PREFERRED FUTURE FOR NURSING

...is the responsibility of all nurses.  We need to commit ourselves to excellence in the future of nursing.  "All nurses have the professional responsibility to be involved in nursing organizations that are actively working to create a preferred future for the profession.  Sigma Theta Tau International and other organizations have committed to creating a positive future by offering leadership institutes, helping members expand their networks through Internet and newsletters, and offering recognition through awards and citations as a way to motivate nurses to work at their highest possible level" (Grossman, 2009, p. 149).   All of these things are great and build our profession however I believe that it is our professional responsibility to commit ourselves to working at our highest possible level regardless of the personal benefit behind that action.

What can we do as the future of nursing to create our preferred nursing future?

One can work to advance and shape the future of nursing practice by:

* Working at the local or chapter level as a committee member or officer

* Serving on a board of Directors

* Working on an International committee

* Reviewing manuscripts for an organization's journal

*We must continue to study the health care practices of various groups, as well as patient responses to specific interventions in order to maintain or enhance function.

*  Practice results should be published in magazines and journals, including those that are multidisciplinary.

* Commitment to using research results as a basis for practice

* Research should be integral to every nurse's ongoing practice.

In this TED talk by Tony Robbins he asks the questions Why do you do what you do? What motivates you? What is driving you?  What shapes the persons ability to contribute? How do you make what is invisible, visible meaning how can we take what you are dreaming and make it happen?  What is it that shapes us?  He talks about how decisions are the ultimate power and that decisions shape our destiny.  I think that this talk is really great because it makes us reflect on what and why we are doing the things that we are doing.  It makes us see that stepping out of our comfort zone and making our ideas real is the only why that change and growth happens.

Please view the video below to hear some of Tony's great insights and become part of the future of inspiring transformational leaders.

Tony Robbins: Why we do what we do

Tony Robbins discusses the "invisible forces" 

that motivate everyone's actions. 

The following are guidelines to help with shaping the future:

1) Do not wait

2) Have credibility (be honest, be an inspiration, maintain competence, and be looking forward)

3) Have your head in the clouds but your feed on the ground (always be thinking of possibilities but also stay grounded in reality)

4) Share values

5) Accept that you cannot do it alone

6) Remember that leadership is every one's business.

And I leave you with one last quote from Shelia Grossman:

"Leaders for the future need to take action, engage in self evaluation, seek feedback from colleagues, set goals and periodically evaluate the progress in meeting them, advance their own knowledge and try new things.  Leaders of tomorrow must be transformational ones; people who can propel a vision, recruit the new generation of nurses, empower followers to work enthusiastically to realize a vision, meet change head on and grow from it" (Grossman, 2009, p. 151).  

Reference:
Grossman, S. C., & Valiga, T. M. (2009). The new leadership challenge: creating the future of nursing, 3e.  Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Compan

“Our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as being able to remake ourselves.” -Gandhi

Develop Self Care Practices


Self-Care Awareness during Nursing School is as important as it will be for our future nursing careers.  As nurses we give, we care, we nurture others however we forget to take the time to care for our own health.  Through all of the exceptions of nursing school we sleep less, trying to meet deadlines; eat fast, which leads to unhealthy eating and rush day in and day out, leaving no time to exercise leading us to became physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally exhausted.  Throughout nursing school we have heard time in time again that we need to take care of our selves as well as we take care of patients.  There have been many conversations on how important it is to make sure that we are also caring for our own bodies and that failure to do this will lead us down the pathway of burnout and fatigue.  I think it is a manageable lifestyle for the short period, while in nursing school but it will not last a lifestyle so why not start now, while in nursing school to build those healthy happens.  As I am coming to the end of my college career (for now at least) I am beginning to realize how important it is to lead a healthier life; I just wish I would have figured out how to do this at the beginning of my student nursing journey as maybe I would have been able to control my anxiety and stress better. 

Lets take it all the way back to our first semester in nursing school, to Nursing Theories. "Dorothea Orem explains Universal Self-Care Requisites as all the things that are needed by individuals, at all stages of life, to be able to care for ones self; for an individual to be completely healthy all of these requisites must be fulfilled" (Moore, 2013, N.P.).  One of Dorothea's stages is activity and rest in which are assessing mentation and activities of daily living but I encourage you to take this stage a step further and think about what you are doing in your life to create peace between your mind, body and soul.  I believe that this is a very necessary need in creating the "whole" healthy individual. 

You might be thinking how does this relate to leadership? "There is growing evidence in the nursing literature about the positive impact of a healthy work environment on staff satisfaction, retention, improved patient outcomes, and organizational performance" (Sherman & Pross, 2013, N.P.).  The first step in creating a healthy environment is to personally change to way we feel.  I believe that leadership is more then just leadership in the workplace with your co-workers but it is also about living with a leadership mentality through your entire life.  We also need to empower our patients to be motivated towards developing self care awareness through our own actions we can help them see that things will only improve if we make a change, internally or externally.

One of my favorite ways to relieve stress and re-energize my spirit is through the practice of yoga, so why not bring this very transformational habit into my very own practice; yoga at the bedside with our patients.  Please listen to the YOGA NURSE video below to better understand how this movement can empower patients.  

Meet the Experts: Arielle Ford & The Yoga Nurse

  

"Yoga (Holistic healing. Spiritual illumination. Circling breath. True love, in motion) + Nursing (Crisis aversion. Medical mojo. Life-saving power. Compassion. Devotion) = YogaNursing evolution + revolution

If this lights you up, explore YogaNursing,

Become a modern Nightingale "(Annette Tersigni,RN)

Managing Stress - Here are some tips to keep stress in balance.

Plan ahead.

Learn to say no.

Treat yourself to a relaxing bath, meditate, yoga; think stress reduction

Create a Self care plan

Remember to take deep breathes.

Focus on the possibilities, not the problems.

Remind yourself that you cannot change people or certain situations, but you can change how you respond to them.  

Be positive, intentionally!

Build on our strengths.

Be in the present.

Bless yourself with laughter, love and peace.

Take care of yourself, it will allow you to take better care of others, use your empathy and nurturing for yourself.

Increase your self-awareness (this one in very important) 

Develop outside interests.

Friendships are critical for expressing your feelings.

Practice stress reduction techniques (exercise, relaxation, meditation, distraction, yoga).

Plan for regular breaks, days off, conferences, and vacations or just take a time out.

Make plans for burnout prevention.

Yoga For Unity Flash Mob

I thought this video was inspirational and felt that it could, maybe inspire others to begin there journey of improving their own self care habits.  Also, it is just a fun video and I hope to, in the near future,  be apart of a yoga flash mob!!!

Click HERE to view the documentary of the 

African Yoga Project that is changing the way Kenya is growing by uplifting their spirits through the practice of yoga.

  

Additional Resources

American Holistic Nurse Association: Join the Holistic Community - Nurture Yourself
Nursing Blog: "Nursing the buddda" Autonomy, Beneficence, Justice, Fidelity
How Leaders Become Self-Aware
Growing Future Nurse Leaders to Build and Sustain Healthy Work Environments at the Unit Level
Moral Courage and the Nurse Leader
Follow the YOGA NURSE on twitter



References
Sherman, R., & Pross, E. (2010). Growing future nurse leaders to build and sustain healthy work environments at the unit level. Online Journal Of Issues In Nursing, 15(1), 4

Moore, C. (2013).  Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Requisites.  Retrieved from http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art57766.asp

Virginia, J. (2008). Nurses must learn to take care of themselves. Retrieved from http://allnurses.com/showthread.php?t=300832

Looking for Quality Patient Outcomes? Magnet Hospitals Recognize Excellence in Patient Care

The "MAGNET RECOGNITION" Program

Through out MSB/Globe University's nursing program and my unit where I work there has been many conversations about Magnet recognition hospital however I still feel that I do not fully understand what it means to be a magnet hospital and this is why I felt the need to explore the topic since it is such an important recognition for the nursing profession.  We, as future nurse leaders need to understand what Magnet recognition is and what it entails be recognized as a Magnet hospital because Magnet is the leading source for successful nursing practice.  If you do not already work in a Magnet hospital you may be apart of the transitioning process of becoming a Magnet Hospital and it will be benefit to understand the expectations.

So lets understand what Magnet is

"The focus of this program is to recognize nursing services in health care organizations that provide excellent nursing care and attract and retain professional nurses. The process of Magnet recognition uses appraisal of the14 forces of magnetism and has become the gold standard of nursing practice.  In magnet-designated hospitals, a strong visionary nurse leader nurtures a nursing professional environment and advocates for and is supportive of excellence in nursing practice" (Huber, 2010, p.1 )

Cultures of Excellence by Gen Guanci

(Retrieved from http://chcm.com/services/cultures-of-excellence/)

Magnet Hospitals are recognized for

* Excellent patient care

* Support of strong nursing practice environments

* Ability to attract and retain nurses

* Characteristics of autonomy, practice control, and collaboration

* Provision of adequate resources

* Effective communication

* Clinically competent peers

* Support for education

* Perception of adequate staffing

* Nurse manager support

* Control of nursing practice

* Patient centered values

* Transformational leadership values

* Shared governance

* Technology

* Group behavior

* Emphasis on quality that is driven by patient centeredness, safety, innovation and evidenced-based practice. 

The ANCC's Magnet program acknowledges excellence in nursing services and leadership based on 14 forces of Magnetism

1: Quality of Nursing Leadership

2: Organizational Structure

3: Management Style

4: Personnel Policies & Programs

5: Professional Models of Care

6: Quality of Care

7: Quality Improvement

8: Consultation & Resources

9: Autonomy

10: Community & Health Care Organization

11: Nurses as Teachers

12: Image of Nursing

13: Interdisciplinary Relationships

14: Professional Development

Five domain of skill nurses need to lead 

Communication and relationship management, Leadership, Business skills and principles, Knowledge of the health care environment, Professionalism (Grossman, 2009, P.1).  

Five evidenced-based components nurses need to lead: 

Transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary professional practice, new knowledge, innovation and improvements and empirical quality results (Grossman, 2009, p. 31).  

Minnesota Hospitals Reporting Magnet Status

Abbott Northwestern Hospital - Minneapolis, MN - since 2009 

Mayo Clinic - Rochester, MN - 1997 

St. Cloud Hospital - St. Cloud, MN - 2004 

United Hospital - St. Paul, MN - 2009 

Additional Resources:

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

ANCC: A pathway to excellence conference

Featured magnet Hospital Career Opportunities

Nurse's notes: What is Magnet nursing?

References

Huber, D. H. (2009).  Leadership and nursing care management. 4th edition.  Saunders, Elsevier Health Sciences. Maryland Heights, MO.

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do" Goethe

Leadership Development is a Lifelong Process.

"There is a widespread agreement that leaders can be made, not born.  The question remains as to how an individual can be made into a leader. Individuals who are acknowledged as leaders are often nurtured and guided by others, seek and function in environments that encourage leadership behavior and study others who have been leaders.  The development of oneself as a leader is a purposeful process that is enhanced by guidance and support from others (Grossman, 2009, p. 157).

"Instead of exercising power over people, transforming leaders champion and inspire them" (Grossman, 2009, p.167)

Approaches to Leadership Development

* Lecture and Discuss (formal course work) 

* Role - Playing and simulation

* Participation in Sensitivity Training

* Role Modeling

* Institutes and Fellowships

* On the Job training

* Reflection and Self-assessment

The development of leadership knowledge and skills require:

* Purposeful, goal oriented action

* Honest, extensive self assessment

* A willingness to ask for assistance or guidance

* A willingness to to accept help or guidance when offered

Retrieved from http://www.hhsc.ca/body.cfm?id=1110

"Taking responsibility is a large part of what leadership is all about, such responsibility grows out of honest self assessment about our leadership abilities and potentials, as well as positive, focused action.  Taking responsibility for our own development as leaders is an excellent way to achieve our professional goals, realize our visions, and shape a preferred future for our profession.  Leaders also are responsible for developing other leaders.  Leadership in Nursing is about ensuring a well thought through plan where the future of the profession remains the key focus" (Grossman, 2009, p. 174).    

As future nurses and aspiring leaders we are in a position where we can choose where we want to practice and should choose an environment that facilitates leadership development.  "Environments that facilitate leadership development are OPEN, TRUSTING & DYNAMIC.  The environment that encourages, supports, and expects leadership development can be thought of as an empowering environment"(Grossman, 2009, p. 167).  Nurses are empowered when they are accountable, have a shared governance and having a sense of control over one's own life.  Most significant is that of knowledge!! (pg.167) 

Nurses empower themselves when: 

* They are knowledgeable and expert in their area of practice

* When they know the structure, dynamics and culture of the organization

* When they know how to use resources effectively

* When they know themselves (strengths, weakness, values, bias and motivations)

How committed are you in developing leadership and shaping the future of Nursing? 

Reference

Grossman, S. C., & Valiga, T. M. (2009). The new leadership challenge: creating the future of nursing, 3e.  Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.