Ashlee M White
May 2024
Ashlee M
White
,
MSN, RN, CPN
Pediatric ICU
Indiana University Health North Hospital
Carmel
,
IN
United States
Ashlee values suggestions and comments from her staff.
It takes more than one story to describe a good leader. It takes multiple attributes.
Walden University describes 10 essentials for a good leader.
1. They communicate clearly: Ashlee utilizes email, the huddle board, updates via the charge nurse clipboard to be shared at change of shift huddle, staff meetings, and 1:1 conversations to communicate expectations and outcomes.
2. They're passionate about their work: Passion doesn't start when you punch in or stop when you punch out. Ashlee is always available. Not knowing she was on PTO, I once called her about something. She answered from Paris. She didn't rush or complain about being disturbed. Instead, she encouraged me to talk with her.
3. They don't care about being popular: Ashlee stands up for the Peds/PICU unit to expand our patient populations and decrease transfers. Often having to make multiple phone calls, she stands up for the skills of her staff and against comments that the staff at North can't care for certain types of patients, i.e. VATS.
4. They keep their minds open: Ashlee values suggestions and comments from her staff. She has personally encouraged me with some of my ideas and research, i.e. clips on the linen / trash carts, use of contact vinyl as wipeable mouse pads, and the pursuit of a Far UVC light for sanitizing air and surfaces. Ashlee encourages participation in committees. She attends our unit PPC meetings asking for staff input and participation. Of course, we must explain the benefits to the patients, families, and staff and also must be within the confines of Policies and Procedures.
5. They work for their employees: Yes, Ashlee has to answer to those above her; the director, and the executive teams of the ISR, Riley and IU Health. However, Ashlee realizes that her staff need her to work for them. There are way too many examples to elaborate on but this is just a small sampling: monitors at nurses desks on the 3rd and 4th floors; getting back up to the 4th floor (while protecting our peds patients with adults on the same floor); working to expand services to prevent call offs and keep patients close to home; changes in the menu to accommodate children (mac & cheese).
6. They're positive and encouraging...bringing out the best of their employees in good times and in bad: Being a children's hospital within an adult hospital is difficult. Children are not little adults. When North was originally designed, it was to be a women and children's hospital. But as needs have changed, so has that concept. COVID caused a big shift in thinking of medical care. The Peds/PICU unit was closed, and the staff shifted to adult units. When we reopened, we were moved to the 3rd floor. This was a decrease in the number of beds and was not set up for kids. Ashlee supported and encouraged us, reminding us that it was about the kids. That's why we are here. Through our tears and anger, she kept our staff together as a team. We were delighted to move back to the 4th floor. Ashlee continues to provide guidance and encouragement as we negotiate space and services. And through all the changes, our quality, safety, and patients scores continue to meet or exceed goals.
7. They respect others: I have never seen Ashlee disrespect or discriminate. She values others as people and also their opinions.
8. They build relationships: Ashlee has developed relationships with multiple units. She has served as interim manager for NICU and the Riley ED at North. She has also assisted in the design and development of the pediatric beds at Saxony.
9. They lead by example: Ashlee will never ask staff to something she isn't willing to do herself. I have seen her put on scrubs and work beside us in times of need. During the recent computer downtime, Ashlee took time out of her busy schedule to enter the data into Cerner.
10. They never stop learning: Healthcare is ever evolving. Being willing to learn is essential to progress and to meet the needs of our staff, colleagues, patients, and families. Some examples I can think of are maintaining certification, Kronos Pro, and multiple Cerner changes. It is not possible to describe Ashlee in one specific story. She is the longest acting manager since the opening of the Peds/PICU unit. She has endured through some of the most difficult times in healthcare. She is not afraid to admit when she is wrong. She acknowledges others’ accomplishments and encourages work / life balance (although she needs to do that for herself also).
Walden University describes 10 essentials for a good leader.
1. They communicate clearly: Ashlee utilizes email, the huddle board, updates via the charge nurse clipboard to be shared at change of shift huddle, staff meetings, and 1:1 conversations to communicate expectations and outcomes.
2. They're passionate about their work: Passion doesn't start when you punch in or stop when you punch out. Ashlee is always available. Not knowing she was on PTO, I once called her about something. She answered from Paris. She didn't rush or complain about being disturbed. Instead, she encouraged me to talk with her.
3. They don't care about being popular: Ashlee stands up for the Peds/PICU unit to expand our patient populations and decrease transfers. Often having to make multiple phone calls, she stands up for the skills of her staff and against comments that the staff at North can't care for certain types of patients, i.e. VATS.
4. They keep their minds open: Ashlee values suggestions and comments from her staff. She has personally encouraged me with some of my ideas and research, i.e. clips on the linen / trash carts, use of contact vinyl as wipeable mouse pads, and the pursuit of a Far UVC light for sanitizing air and surfaces. Ashlee encourages participation in committees. She attends our unit PPC meetings asking for staff input and participation. Of course, we must explain the benefits to the patients, families, and staff and also must be within the confines of Policies and Procedures.
5. They work for their employees: Yes, Ashlee has to answer to those above her; the director, and the executive teams of the ISR, Riley and IU Health. However, Ashlee realizes that her staff need her to work for them. There are way too many examples to elaborate on but this is just a small sampling: monitors at nurses desks on the 3rd and 4th floors; getting back up to the 4th floor (while protecting our peds patients with adults on the same floor); working to expand services to prevent call offs and keep patients close to home; changes in the menu to accommodate children (mac & cheese).
6. They're positive and encouraging...bringing out the best of their employees in good times and in bad: Being a children's hospital within an adult hospital is difficult. Children are not little adults. When North was originally designed, it was to be a women and children's hospital. But as needs have changed, so has that concept. COVID caused a big shift in thinking of medical care. The Peds/PICU unit was closed, and the staff shifted to adult units. When we reopened, we were moved to the 3rd floor. This was a decrease in the number of beds and was not set up for kids. Ashlee supported and encouraged us, reminding us that it was about the kids. That's why we are here. Through our tears and anger, she kept our staff together as a team. We were delighted to move back to the 4th floor. Ashlee continues to provide guidance and encouragement as we negotiate space and services. And through all the changes, our quality, safety, and patients scores continue to meet or exceed goals.
7. They respect others: I have never seen Ashlee disrespect or discriminate. She values others as people and also their opinions.
8. They build relationships: Ashlee has developed relationships with multiple units. She has served as interim manager for NICU and the Riley ED at North. She has also assisted in the design and development of the pediatric beds at Saxony.
9. They lead by example: Ashlee will never ask staff to something she isn't willing to do herself. I have seen her put on scrubs and work beside us in times of need. During the recent computer downtime, Ashlee took time out of her busy schedule to enter the data into Cerner.
10. They never stop learning: Healthcare is ever evolving. Being willing to learn is essential to progress and to meet the needs of our staff, colleagues, patients, and families. Some examples I can think of are maintaining certification, Kronos Pro, and multiple Cerner changes. It is not possible to describe Ashlee in one specific story. She is the longest acting manager since the opening of the Peds/PICU unit. She has endured through some of the most difficult times in healthcare. She is not afraid to admit when she is wrong. She acknowledges others’ accomplishments and encourages work / life balance (although she needs to do that for herself also).