Transformational Resiliency

Beginning any day with a mental “to-do” list gives insight into the daunting responsibilities that frame the professional practice of nurse leadership. The work day has no beginning as calls are received from the night shift supervisor regarding staffing or employee and patient concerns. Arriving on the unit, issues clamor for attention. Some of these may be: did a patient fall last night; was there an injury? How many telemetry patients are we holding in the emergency department that need beds? Why was the sepsis protocol not initiated on Mrs. McArthur? Mr. Gatto did not receive his diabetic snack again? And why is the novice nurse in tears? This may all occur before setting down the car keys. The remainder of the day consists of meetings to discuss financial issues, care transition, patient experience, and performance improvement. The day leaves no time for attention to personal needs or professional goals. The nature of the nurse leader's (NLs) work becomes the will to withstand the barrage of endless expectations.