Agata Northway
May 2021
Agata
Northway
,
RN
UnityPoint Health Des Moines
Des Moines
,
IA
United States
She is a role model to all of us. She constantly advocates for us, whether it's to management or other units at the hospital. She is always asking her nurses for feedback and trying to make them happy. Agata has completely changed the culture of the unit.
Since Agata joined Blank 4 we have faced many challenges as a department. We have moved floors more than once, we have experienced a change in leadership, and have brought on many new employees. Through all of the changes, she has kept a positive attitude. She is always pushing us to be better and to rise above whatever obstacles we may face. She supports us and advocates for us in ways that many of us have never experienced from a leader. She is truly the epitome of what it means to be an amazing leader. She is a role model to all of us on Blank 4. She constantly advocates for us, whether it's to management or other units at the hospital. She is always asking her nurses for feedback and trying to make them happy (the candy is always a plus). She has completely changed the culture of the unit.
I went to Agata one morning regarding a pump we were missing on the floor. She tracked down the pump and relayed the message to me that morning. She is always following up regarding issues we have on the floor. We couldn't be more grateful to have such a great leader on the floor!
When I came to this unit in July it was in a transitional period. This unit had a lot of turnover, a punitive culture, and morale was down. Agata put a lot of time and effort into changing the culture on Blank 4. She took a group of people that were disconnected and made unification a huge goal of hers. She encouraged us, made us feel that our voices matter, and showed us that we can make a difference on our unit. The thing I respect the most about Agata is that she has full transparency. She has made mistakes as she learns how to lead our unit and she is transparent about them and admits when she can improve in further situations and grow as a leader. I think that is what makes a great leader. Not that you are perfect, but that you are willing to recognize when you can handle things differently in the future. I've always been taught it's not the mistakes you make that define you as a leader but how you handle and grow from those situations. Agata has created multiple communication groups, encouraged the UBC committee, and helps promote unity in any way possible.
She advocates for nursing to improve patient care. For example, she is advocating to providers and residents to implement a rounding program and include nursing more in rounds to promote communication and patient experiences with communication. She handles situations in a timely manner and always gets nursing opinions on situations.
Another thing I think is a great leadership quality is the gift of listening and understanding. It's just a great team atmosphere when you feel that your supervisor supports you not only with your work life but with your personal life as well. She makes it known that our families are a large priority to us and we all need a good work/home life balance.
Overall, Agata exhibits Unity Point's values very well and is truly a great leader on blank 4. I do believe if it wasn't for her that our unit would not be growing and changing in such a positive way. Thank you Agata for never giving up and pushing us to be our best!
I went to Agata one morning regarding a pump we were missing on the floor. She tracked down the pump and relayed the message to me that morning. She is always following up regarding issues we have on the floor. We couldn't be more grateful to have such a great leader on the floor!
When I came to this unit in July it was in a transitional period. This unit had a lot of turnover, a punitive culture, and morale was down. Agata put a lot of time and effort into changing the culture on Blank 4. She took a group of people that were disconnected and made unification a huge goal of hers. She encouraged us, made us feel that our voices matter, and showed us that we can make a difference on our unit. The thing I respect the most about Agata is that she has full transparency. She has made mistakes as she learns how to lead our unit and she is transparent about them and admits when she can improve in further situations and grow as a leader. I think that is what makes a great leader. Not that you are perfect, but that you are willing to recognize when you can handle things differently in the future. I've always been taught it's not the mistakes you make that define you as a leader but how you handle and grow from those situations. Agata has created multiple communication groups, encouraged the UBC committee, and helps promote unity in any way possible.
She advocates for nursing to improve patient care. For example, she is advocating to providers and residents to implement a rounding program and include nursing more in rounds to promote communication and patient experiences with communication. She handles situations in a timely manner and always gets nursing opinions on situations.
Another thing I think is a great leadership quality is the gift of listening and understanding. It's just a great team atmosphere when you feel that your supervisor supports you not only with your work life but with your personal life as well. She makes it known that our families are a large priority to us and we all need a good work/home life balance.
Overall, Agata exhibits Unity Point's values very well and is truly a great leader on blank 4. I do believe if it wasn't for her that our unit would not be growing and changing in such a positive way. Thank you Agata for never giving up and pushing us to be our best!