The Nursing Voice - March 2021

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Page 10 March 2021 The Nursing Voice Nursing Leadership in Light of the Unknown Nurses and the COVID-19 Vaccine Linda Anders, MBA, MSN, RN, CSRN Nursing leadership in the acute care hospital setting is faced daily with various challenges. However, in 2020, leadership was involuntary propelled into various difficulties due to staffing concerns and the rapid increase of COVID-19 positive patients. Leadership was forced to concentrate on operations working under their Emergency Operating Procedures. Due to the operational demands placed on leadership, many of their daily tasks were placed on hold, including senior team rounding, daily huddles, and being visible to the bedside staff. The lack of presence of the leaders in the hospital setting coupled with furloughs, layoffs, and the pandemic's deadly sickness left the staff to work in the space of uncertainty. Many people will accept situations or decisions made by management if they live in a space and place of certainty, even if they do not like the final decision. Uncertainty leaves people scared. When people are afraid and feel like they do not have all the information, they fill in the gaps with stories. These fabricated stories are a way that humans justify and deal with uncertainty. This, coupled with the stress of virtual learning at home, fear of bringing the virus home to their family, and stress of picking up extra hours, really took a toll on our nation's nursing staff. As we have stepped into 2021, we know that this pandemic is far from over. However, we see the heaviness lift a little, as evidenced by approved vaccines, decreased COVID-19 positive patients in the hospital setting, and stimulus money from the government. Looking forward to this year in healthcare, it still seems uncertain what it will look like. This is where leadership needs to take a small step back from operations to place some focus back on the people. Operations are still essential and always will be, but the staff needs leadership to be visible, to be fully present when interacting with the bedside team members, to celebrate all that the team has been through. One of the focuses of nursing leadership in 2021 should be about restoring a sense of certainty. The certainty that the staff matter, certainty that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and certainty that the work they performed to save countless lives has not gone unnoticed. Whatever restoring certainty looks like in your immediate surroundings, maybe, but one thing for sure is that the staff is tired and needs affirmation tenfold more now than any time before. Every nursing leader should pledge to focus on restoring certainty in 2021 in light of the unknown. Lanette Stuckey Ph.D., MSN, RN, CNE, CMSRN, CNEcl, NEA-BC Dean of Nursing/Associate Professor, Lakeview College of Nursing The United States is preparing for the largest vaccine initiative in decades, with millions of people being vaccinated in short time frames to gain control of the virus and ultimately save lives. Nurses are considered the most trusted profession by the general public and should educate and encourage the public about the importance and safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. Education and encouragement will help ensure high participation, which will help decrease COVID-19 in the United States. Many people will have questions on the COVID-19 vaccine and will be looking at nurses for guidance. Some key points to share with the public about the vaccine include how the vaccines work, safety, and common misconceptions. Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines have been the first COVID-19 vaccines authorized. It is essential to know that even though the mRNA technology is new, it is not unknown. mRNA has been studied for over a decade. mRNA vaccines take the process that cells use to make proteins that trigger an immune response and build immunity to SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19. Identical to all vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines have been rigorously tested for safety before they were authorized to be administered. Furthermore, the COVID-19 vaccines do not contain a live virus and do not risk causing disease in a vaccinated individual. A common misconception is that the vaccine will affect or interact with a person's DNA. This is not true as mRNA never enters the cell's nucleus, where DNA is kept. The vaccine gives instructions to our cells to make a spike protein. As soon as the instructions are inside the immune cells, they use them to make a protein piece. After the protein piece is created, the cell breaks down the instructions to eliminate the protein. After this, the cell will display the protein piece on its surface. A person's immune system then recognizes that the protein does not belong, and it will begin to build an immune response and make antibodies. At the end of the process, the body has learned how to protect against future COVID-19 infections. The COVID-19 vaccines are a two-dose series, and both doses are necessary for protection. The first dose primes the immune system by helping it recognize the virus, while the second dose strengthens the immune response. Protection is not immediate; it takes one to two weeks following the second dose to be considered fully vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccine should be recommended to people regardless of prior symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. However, if a person has a current COVID-19 infection, the vaccination should be postponed until they have recovered. A significant benefit of the COVID-19 vaccines is that people vaccinated will gain protection without having to risk severe consequences of getting sick with COVID-19. It is still uncertain if vaccinated individuals can still carry COVID-19 and transmit it to others; therefore, social distancing and wearing masks is still recommended. Stopping the pandemic will require that we use all tools we have available, including the vaccine. Nurses should lead the public by example, by giving a strong recommendation to receive the vaccine, which will be critical for vaccine acceptance. Nurses should share the importance of these vaccines to protect their health and those around them. Reference Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2021). COVID-19 vaccination. https:// www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/index.html Become someone's HERO today and join our team of NURSING HEROES at HARRISBURG MEDICAL CENTER! Looking for RN positions for: • Surgery • Behavioral Health* • SCU/PCU* • Med/Surg* • ER* *offering Sign on Bonus To see a complete list of all the nursing opportunities go to recruitingsite.com/ csbsites/harrisburg/Careers.asp *** resume not required and you can apply through our website today!
The Nursing Voice March 2021 Page 11 Leadership Visited and Revisited Joyce J. Fitzpatrick, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN, FNAP, FAANP (hon) Director, Marian K. Shaughnessy Nurse Leadership Academy Elizabeth Brooks Ford Profession of Nursing Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing Distinguished University Professor Case Western Reserve University “So what is leadership?” This is the simple (yet complex) question that I am often asked. Here are the answers I provide: Leadership is part of your being, the moral compass that permeates all that you do, say and believe. Leadership is an attribute that is reflected in your everyday interactions with everyone in your orbit, your family and friends, your co-workers, and those who you barely know, but with whom you have contact. Leadership is being authentic in the way you behave with others, the communication that you share and the feelings and thoughts that you have. Leadership is also a set of skills, learned behaviors that encourage others toward a shared vision, common goals, and a greater purpose. Leadership is finding meaning and purpose in your work. Leadership is modeling the way in everything that you do and say. Leadership is self-awareness, listening to yourself, reflecting on your own beliefs, your knowledge and skills. Leadership is doing what you can to actualize your unused potential. Leadership is managing conflict to create true win-win situations. Leadership is learning from others, the children in the playground who are spontaneous in their support of each other, and the board members in the meeting who are supportive in their own way. Leadership is humility, knowing that none of us is infallible Leadership is a belief in the power of our collective humanity, working together for the good of all. Leadership is sharing your deepest convictions about the way that nursing and health can and should be, reaching for the stars that promote health as a right and not a privilege. Leadership is caring for those most vulnerable, the neglected, the ill, the downtrodden, the marginalized…just as nurses do every day in every organization. Leadership is listening to those whose views are radically different from yours and trying to find a common purpose and a common ground for the good of all. Leadership is professionalism, understanding the social contract that we as nurses have with the public, upholding our ethical obligations to all in our care, and living our professional nursing standards. Leadership is assuming responsibility for our own actions, being accountable for our actions and understanding the consequences. Leadership is pushing the boundaries when the boundaries need to change. Leadership is investing in others’ greatness. Leadership is identifying needed change and creating the vision and processes to initiate change. Leadership is providing guidance, to individuals, groups, and organizations. Leadership is active and decisive decision-making to achieve shared goals. Leadership is taking a risk, to implement a vision and achieve goals. Leadership is understanding yourself, being aware of your potential and the power of intentional communication. Leadership is building relationships with your those who can help you and those you can help, building relationships for the purpose of helping others to actualize their potential. Leadership is mentoring others, and allowing yourself to be mentored. Leadership is promoting collaboration and building community. Leadership is knowing when to step back, when there is an affront to your integrity. Leadership is being transformational. Leadership is being an advocate, for patients, for colleagues, and for the public health. Leadership is being a trusted professional. Leadership is motivating others to act. Leadership is embracing change and effecting change as needed. Leadership is acclaiming others’ successes and assisting them to achieve their highest potential. Leadership is YOU! virtual Graduate open house April 22, 2021 • 2-6PM MULTIPLE CAREER-FOCUSEd SESSIONS NURSING As a professional nurse, you know the challenges of the continually evolving healthcare field. Due to increased emphasis on preventive care, growing rates of chronic conditions, and demand for services from the baby-boom population, employment of nurses is projected to grow 7% by 2029 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. At our spring Virtual Graduate Open House: Discover What’s Next, you’ll learn how our graduate nursing programs can help keep you current, and prepare you for the next step in your career. lewisu.edu/discoverwhatsnext/ $10,000 SIGN ON BONUS! Cedar Park Regional is offering a $10,000 sign-on bonus and relocation assistance for RNs with at least one year of acute care experience in the following areas: Med/Surg, ICU, ED, Labor & Delivery Cedar Park Regional Medical Center is a 126 bed acute care facility located in the northwest corridor of Austin, Texas, one of the fastest growing areas in the nation. The area offers an abundance of outdoor activities with many parks, hiking and bike trails. Austin is known as the culture center of Texas and prides itself on being dubbed the live music capital of the world. The area will not disappoint with many diverse shopping venues, amazing dining experiences, microbreweries and wineries to suit every taste. Earn your certificate or degree in any of the following: DEGREES Occupational Therapy Speech-Language Pathology MSN with specializations in: • Healthcare Systems Leadership • Nursing Education • Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner • Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner • Family Nurse Practitioner • School Nurse • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner MSN/MBA Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) POST MASTER’S CERTIFICATES Healthcare Systems Leadership Nursing Education Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Family Nurse Practitioner Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Many are available online. How many of these leadership attributes describe you? Which of these leadership attributes do you want to develop or strengthen? What is your plan to make it happen? Apply online at www.cedarparkregional.com
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