There is a somewhat consistent list of attributes that people would say they look for in a nurse leader. Honesty, supportive, advocate for their team, positive, a skillful resource, and accountability are likely to be at the top of most people’s lists. Our Shaffer 3 manager, Katie Dillon seems to have perfected and “next leveled” these basic tenants of leadership – and it is surely not going unnoticed. In my short time working with Katie as her Director, I have found her to be on top of the inner workings of her unit – no matter the topic, the day, the parties involved, Katie is fully aware. She is not a micromanager by any stretch, but she is fully immersed in the social and emotional dynamics of her team. She is in tune with the quality of care being provided, opportunities for the taking, and necessary resources.

Katie remains an ever-present clinical resource on her unit. She covers charge shifts, and connects with patients and families, and she may often be found doing the most basic of nursing care as this is where she feels the most grounded. She is sensitive to the mental and emotional status of her team and balances it delicately with the pursuit of providing a supportive environment for her team so that they can provide extraordinary care to the patients they serve.

I brought a new process to her several weeks ago, and I asked, “how do you think the team will respond? Do you want to take a few weeks and wait to start?” To which she replied, “No, we’ve got it, there’s no reason we can’t start this weekend.” She knows when to push and when to pull back, and that is because she has a pulse on every team member that reports to her. Her unit is leading the way with patient satisfaction scores. We have seen no hospital-acquired pressure injuries, infections, or safety events on her unit.

In the most challenging of times, this team is thriving! Katie is diplomatic and consistently asks for only what she needs (and perhaps a little less). She is fiscally responsible and understands the global staffing needs of our community during these unprecedented and taxing times. This global insight promotes a calmness in her that is contagious. She is always prepared with the facts and is gracious when given the resources she has requested. There is no pleading, no pity parties, she has faith in her team and rolls with the situation. She is truly resilient.

There is not a day or night that her team will go shorthanded without her becoming a resource or a reliable plan to provide support. “I can’t let them work like that” is a phrase commonly heard in our discussions. I often as her director encourage her to focus on her work/life balance. But you won’t convince her otherwise. There is no question where her heart lies, and not one of her team members is in the dark about this.

I have been in awe of Katie since I first started my role, and my respect for her has increased exponentially in just a few months. I feel so fortunate to be among such great leaders at Mease Countryside Hospital. I would truly say that they are all spectacular. As Katie’s leader, I surely recognize these values, emotional intelligence, empathy, and simply put “hard work.” But what has made the greatest impact of all is her team’s responsiveness to her. It is no secret that nursing is in a frightening state of disengagement, yet I have received more emails, high-five cards, and real-time verbal praise from her team than any other manager/leader I have served. In a time where tensions often run high, staffing runs low, and the burnout and dissociation from the passions of nursing are ever threatening, having a team so consistently take time out to be sure that I know how thankful they are to have her. She is impactful and extraordinary. I know without a doubt that their praise is far more valuable to Katie than any other – for it is them she serves, but please allow this group to consider formally recognizing this most exceptional nurse, leader, and colleague.

Please find enclosed a few samples of recent communication I have received from her team. • I just want to take a minute to make sure that Katie Dillion gets a High Five, or whatever recognition that she can. She helped me through a very difficult death of a patient on Monday, was right there beside me as I prepared the body and kept me centered. • Katie is always there for her staff. She jumps in when she is needed, ready to lend a hand, pass a med, clean up a patient and be a shoulder to cry on. In my 25 years of nursing, she has been the best manager that I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I just wanted to make sure she was recognized. • I am writing to you to let you know we have an amazing, hardworking, leader who has so much of Motivating and is very passionate about her team. Katie goes above and beyond for our team every day and night many days she would hit the floor running trying to help everyone so we all can have an amazing day, she is such an awesome person, she is one of the reasons I love coming to work, I can't ask for a better boss. she does it all. I was wondering if there is anything my floor can do for her. Please let me know if there is anything we can do for her. • Katie: I wanted to thank you for all you do for us consistently, on a regular basis. You have always had my back which is something that I am so grateful for. Furthermore, there are many other staff members that feel the exact same way as I do. You never lose your patience and always lead with a positive attitude. We can all learn from this example. The patients are fortunate to have you and our 3 North/Shaffer 3 staff are so lucky you are our leader. I just wanted to recognize your outstanding work. I know how hard you work.