We are delighted to share a spotlight that includes two nurse leaders from our great partner, Onvida Health!
Josepha Weeks, MSN, RN and Elizabeth A Jones, BSc, RN, CRNI, both took part in our Nurse LEAD Program, and share the impact it has had on their own ability as a nurse and a leader, and also what skills they can bring back to help continue their teams’ growth.
Josepha Weeks, MSN, RN
Director, Labor & Delivery/
Mother baby Unit
Onvida Health, Yuma Medical Center
1. How long have you been in Nursing, and what are your favorite parts about it?
I joined the nursing profession in 1991. My favorite parts are being able to connect with the patient and caring for them the way they want to be cared for. I also love being able to educate them and helping them to feel empowered to make decisions regarding their care.
2. What are your favorite parts of leading a team of nurses?
My favorite parts of leading a team of nurses are:
- Creating an environment where nurses feel valued and know that they are heard
- Being a mentor and providing guidance to them and being able to see them grow and achieve their full potential
- Also fostering an environment where honest respectful communication is treasured
- Motivating my team to work collaboratively as this not only benefits the patients but the organization as a whole
3. How has the Elevating Excellence or Nurse LEAD content helped you in your role?
This program has given me insight or a different perspective on things that I was not necessarily thinking about. I have been paying more attention on what type of impact my actions and words have on my team and how I can use that influence in a positive way. One of the sessions addressed, what am I modeling as a leader in my words, my actions, and the way I show appreciation to others, and I have been using that as a sort of guide.
4. Could you tell us about a time that a tip you learned came in handy, with a patient or colleague, for example?
I shared with my team of charge nurses the “Am I modeling” session and encouraged them to self-reflect and seek input to answer those questions.
5. What new skills are you looking forward to developing?
- The ability to constantly navigate the changes that are inevitable
- Demonstrating high emotional intelligence
- Becoming better at having difficult conversations
- Building trust and creating a space where staff knows it is ok to fail
6. What have you done to engage your nurses to participate in this program and prevent this feeling like “one more thing?”
I have shared videos with them and let them know that these sessions are very informative and will help enhance their nursing journey.
Elizabeth A Jones, BSc, RN, CRNI
Director Ambulatory Operations, Outpatient Services
Pediatrics Sub-Specialty Clinic, Onvida Health
1. How long have you been in Nursing, and what are your favorite parts about it?
I have been part of the nursing profession for over 30 fulfilling years. Without a doubt, my favorite part of nursing is connecting with patients and their families. What a privilege and an honor! I have always believed I have learned more from my patients than they have ever learned from me, their courageous and brave journeys have filled me with awe of the power of the human spirit and hope.
2. What are your favorite parts of leading a team of nurses?
My favorite part of leading a team of nurses is my confidence that together any challenge can be faced with a successful outcome. Every team member is important and every one of them brings valuable skills to the team.
3. How has the Elevating Excellence or Nurse LEAD content helped you in your role?
Participating in the Nurse Lead program has positively impacted me personally and professionally. Having the ability to network with Nurse leaders across the country has been insightful and invaluable to my role as a leader and colleague.
4. Could you tell us about a time that a tip you learned came in handy, with a patient or colleague, for example?
Session 2 of the Nurse lead program focused on ‘elevating my team’ and encouraged leaders to intently identify individual strengths. I took my learnings from this challenge and identified two RNs within a dynamic team to lead a significant IT build for the nursing department. They were both hesitant to accept the challenge stating ‘there were stronger and better team members that should be selected’. I believed in the two RNs and knew with support they would be successful. We are now two months into the project, and they have been so successful in every part of the project, including learning new skills, identifying issues and solving them, communicating frequently with their own peers and asking for feedback from the team. They are so proud of themselves but not more than I am!
5. What new skills are you looking forward to developing?
Personally, I am eager to complete the Nurse LEAD program and continue learning and practicing from the weekly challenges and reflections. The new skills I learn each week from the ‘micro learnings’ are generally focused on connecting with people and teams. Those specific skills are essential to building and maintaining healthy teams and I look forward to developing and hopefully mastering as many of them as I can!
6. What have you done to engage your nurses to participate in this program and prevent this feeling like “one more thing?”
The RNs at Onvida are not expected to participate in this program at the time. I have been in discussion with the patient experience team to consider having that discussion though!
Learn more about our approach, and the difference the Nurse LEAD Program makes!
Nick Chicchetti is a Marketing Specialist at Practicing Excellence, specializing in developing, implementing, and analyzing marketing strategies and development of content. He brings over five years of healthcare marketing experience, and has a passion for driving change and improving experiences across the healthcare continuum.
