I work with this amazing nurse named Christen Setzer. She is who I look at and say, "That's who I want to be when I grow up." She is truly a superhero. She is a charge nurse and clinical supervisor. But those are just basic compared to the hats she wears. I think she knows everything. She will answer all my crazy questions and still have a smile on her face. She is willing to help anyone with any task.
She oversees the nursing care given by others while retaining accountability for the quality of care given to the healthcare consumer. Christen is a preceptor for new RNs and new charge RNs. She gives her knowledge in a caring manner that promotes retained positions.
She abides by the vision, the associated goals, and the plan to implement and measure the progress of an individual healthcare consumer or progress within the context of the healthcare organization by working with VERGE, a patient feedback system.
She demonstrates a commitment to continuous, lifelong learning and education for self and others. She is the coordinator for the hospital scholarship program and raised over $15,000 last year. She is also enrolled in the MSN program at UNC Wilmington.
Christen mentors colleagues for the advancement of nursing practice, the profession, and quality healthcare by being the leader of both Clinical Advancement and Clinical Ladder.
She treats colleagues with respect, trust, and dignity. Christen coordinates Nursing Day events for the entire hospital and has created a snack cart for the ED, for the employees who have had one of those days or nights and don't get a break or have just had a fantastic day.
She develops communication and conflict resolution skills. I have witnessed firsthand, Christen talking through issues a patient is having. She communicates with them and comes up with solutions that make them happy. She thinks outside of the box on a different level than the rest of us. I have also talked through issues with her and she is amazing at listening and coming up with suggestions.
She participates in professional organizations. She is the Leader of Professional Development, Co-chair of The DAISY Award Program, Leader of Clinical Ladder, Coordinator of a scholarship program.
Christen communicates effectively with the healthcare consumer and colleagues. Works with the VERGE system. Christen also administers evaluations at the end of the year.
She seeks ways to advance nursing autonomy and accountability. Christen made up a new process for responses within the hospital by making a code stretcher that has a Lifepak, O2, and response bag with all kinds of equipment that might be needed all attached to a stretcher. She also made an airway bag for the providers to take while responding to code airways and code blues in the hospital.
She also participates in efforts to influence health care policy involving healthcare consumers and the profession by leading the hospital in professional development.
I think Christen is the best example of a leader. She is fair and consistent and exemplifies what nursing and leadership are supposed to be. Employees and patients love her. I really do not know how she does all that she does.