Michelle Nastovski
May 2025
Michelle
Nastovski
,
BSN, RN
Surgical Intensive Care Unit
Henry Ford Hospital
Detroit
,
MI
United States
Michelle is a fearless, intentional, and kindhearted leader.
Michelle has quickly made a significant impact since assuming her role. She has been instrumental in addressing staffing challenges, particularly in reducing the high reliance on agency personnel. Recognizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions, Michelle took action to expedite the hiring process. She collaborated with her leadership team to identify nurses on the unit who could be promoted to preceptor roles, helping speed up the training of new staff.
By increasing the number of preceptors, Michelle worked closely with Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) and Unit Educators to develop a plan to increase the number of hires per month while ensuring the training process remained safe and thorough. Thanks to her leadership and strategic approach, Michelle successfully filled over 20 nursing FTEs since April 2024, reducing agency staffing to 1.8 FTEs.
Earlier this year, Michelle was put to the ultimate test when the unit faced a tragic and unforeseen incident. She immediately jumped into action, prioritizing the physical and emotional safety of all individuals who were involved. She secured resources to aid in the short- and long-term coping for anyone in need. She also personally called those involved to check in on them and make sure they knew just how supported they were.
Recognizing that some staff would require time away from work, Michelle worked to find additional staffing resources so that safe staffing levels could be maintained. She not only encouraged but also made it possible for those who needed extra time to have the space to do so. She advocated for the well-being of individuals and the team as a whole at every moment. She did all of this while also meeting with patient family members to provide the compassionate support that they needed in that moment.
At all times, her focus was on ensuring physical and emotional safety for everyone affected while also making sure the operational needs of the unit were met. Being a leader in times of crisis is not easy. Leaders are often trying to process the event and stress themselves, while simultaneously being the ultimate support for so many others. It takes a strong person to remain focused and dedicated to keeping the team on the right course while also advocating for each person's individual needs. Michelle is a fearless, intentional, and kindhearted leader.
By increasing the number of preceptors, Michelle worked closely with Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) and Unit Educators to develop a plan to increase the number of hires per month while ensuring the training process remained safe and thorough. Thanks to her leadership and strategic approach, Michelle successfully filled over 20 nursing FTEs since April 2024, reducing agency staffing to 1.8 FTEs.
Earlier this year, Michelle was put to the ultimate test when the unit faced a tragic and unforeseen incident. She immediately jumped into action, prioritizing the physical and emotional safety of all individuals who were involved. She secured resources to aid in the short- and long-term coping for anyone in need. She also personally called those involved to check in on them and make sure they knew just how supported they were.
Recognizing that some staff would require time away from work, Michelle worked to find additional staffing resources so that safe staffing levels could be maintained. She not only encouraged but also made it possible for those who needed extra time to have the space to do so. She advocated for the well-being of individuals and the team as a whole at every moment. She did all of this while also meeting with patient family members to provide the compassionate support that they needed in that moment.
At all times, her focus was on ensuring physical and emotional safety for everyone affected while also making sure the operational needs of the unit were met. Being a leader in times of crisis is not easy. Leaders are often trying to process the event and stress themselves, while simultaneously being the ultimate support for so many others. It takes a strong person to remain focused and dedicated to keeping the team on the right course while also advocating for each person's individual needs. Michelle is a fearless, intentional, and kindhearted leader.