This is an example of a nurse leader who goes above and beyond to show compassion, enthusiasm, and respect for the true nature of nursing. This leader is always the first to volunteer for growth opportunities, such as stepping into an interim nurse manager role when there was a unit in need. This leader showed compassion and respect to staff which led to the formation of a trusting relationship. The relationship between staff and nurse leader has greatly contributed to the success of the unit. The leader and team formed such a bond throughout the leader’s interim role, that the leader was compelled to continue to support and grow the unit after the interim time had ended. The nurse leader is now the full-time nurse manager of the unit.  

A strength of this leader is the ability to advocate and encourage professional development. The leader models professional development by precepting graduate students regularly and serving as a mentor for new clinical nurse specialists.  A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) student was precepted by this leader. Together, the leader and student completed a project about blood glucose checks and insulin administration times. Kayla mentored the student through her data collection and presentation. They have since submitted an abstract and have been accepted to present a poster at the Annual National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) conference. Further, the student has successfully transitioned into a CNS role at UTMC. 

The leader continually encourages staff to express their desires for professional growth. The leader seeks opportunities for her team members to explore their desires and encourages them to take advantage of growth opportunities. While in the interim role, she encouraged several team members to explore their skill sets and become preceptors. Today, each experienced nurse on the unit has precepted a nursing student or new graduate nurse due to the support and encouragement of their manager. 

In addition to creating opportunities for professional development, the nurse leader has encouraged team members to engage in shared governance. When the nurse leader assumed the interim manager role, the unit did not have an active unit council. Throughout the interim time, the leader and staff rebuilt their unit council. They have had several meetings with a high number of attendees from both shifts as well as, unit outings with high attendance including our agency staff. The unit council chairs and their leader were invited to present at the Unit Council Chair Nurse Manager Meeting to talk about the process of rebuilding their unit and offered guidance to other units trying to rebuild their councils post-COVID. This initiative has created an environment of teamwork and support across shifts. The peer collaboration amongst the unit has created a true feeling of family.

This leader is the chair of the CLABSI team, member of the APRN council, Critical Care Committee, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, HICS, and Nursing Recruitment and Retention Council among many other projects. In leading the CLABSI team, the nurse leader has played a role in implementing CHG wipes throughout the facility, having standardized ART line kits for providers created, and developing nursing education during the annual March out CLABSI initiative. The leader assisted in overseeing a pilot process of cleaning around central lines with CHG to prevent CLABSI. The pilot was successful, and the Line is Mine initiative was implemented on each unit.

This leader is not only a supporter of collaboration throughout the organization but, a supporter of collaboration throughout the community too. An example, beginning in late November, this nurse leader began working with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (ETCH) and the Tiny Tree Organization. The leader’s goal was to bring tiny, individually decorated Christmas trees to the tiniest patients at UT Medical Center. The nurse leader is a part of the Medical Surgical Service line but, has close personal ties to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UTMC. Knowing how hard it is to be a patient in the NICU during the holidays and how deeply families crave a sense of normalcy, the nurse leader saw an opportunity for compassion and a way to bring the holiday spirit to these families. 

Several days were spent, coordinating communication between volunteer services leadership from ETCH and nursing leadership from UT’s NICU. The nurse leader facilitated conversations to determine the feasibility of receiving trees and determining how many trees could be accepted. Both groups agreed this was a positive partnership in the making. The nurse leader collaborated with UHAUL to rent a vehicle to transport trees and recruited a group of fellow nursing leaders to assist with picking up the trees and bringing them to the medical center. 

Through the nurse leader's efforts, the 60+ families in the NICU all received beautifully decorated miniature Christmas trees for their child’s room. This example demonstrates the nurse leader’s passion for collaboration and support across community organizations. The mutual respect and relationships across service lines and across the community have allowed the nurse leader an opportunity to support NICU families through a cause that is very personal to the leader. 

This nurse leader is an exceptional supporter, caregiver, and mentor. She is truly an example of a selfless and extraordinary leader who makes a tremendous impact in the care she provides to others including our team members, patients, their families, and our community.