Inquiring minds want to know.

[meanmaryjean, DNP, RN]

I've been tasked with a presentation at a national nursing conference later this year. Generally, when I present, it's about my previous research, or my area of clinical expertise. But not this time! This time I have an assigned topic.

The topic is "What do nurses REALLY want from their leaders?"

I decided the most expedient thing I could do is to actually ask nurses the question! Because I assume this group does not want to know what I think nurses want from their leaders, they want the question answered, right?

So, if you're a nurse, and would like to offer your opinion, I'd be interested in hearing it. You can be any type of nurse in any type of position - bedside to CNO. I'm posing this question at every gathering of nurses that I am part of from now until the presentation.

If you have an extra minute, I would love to hear your definition of 'leader' as well.

Thanks!

[CBlover, BSN, RN]

Hmm..what do I REALLY want from my leader..

1. Advocate for OUR unit. Step up to the plate when you feel pressure from YOUR leader(s) and stand up for YOUR unit and staff.

2. Wake up to reality and look around at what's really going on on your unit. I understand that you have to sit in your office a lot, but COME OUT ON THE FLOOR, look around, and see for yourself what it's really like out here. And recognize how hard we work!

3. When we address problems with you, whether it be insufficient CNAs to go around, a incivil coworker, etc, don't tell us what you've already done to try to "fix" it. Tell us what you are going to do NEXT. And FOLLOW THROUGH. So often we are told what will be done to change circumstances and we never see anything or receive FEEDBACK. We like feedback to our requests and concerns.

4. If you have to "make rounds" on the patients, if they complain about the care they've received, please let us tell our side of the story and listen with an open ear. Don't have your vision so tunneled that you miss our very important input.

I'm sure I could think of more, but when I personally brainstorm, these are what come to mind first.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

First comment x 10!

[jojo489]

What CBlover said....and one who isn't afraid to get their hands dirty.

I had a manager once, who used to come to the unit around 930 every morning. We were at the tail end of the med passes and she would stop at each of our carts to ask which of us needed an md called, and she would actually do it for us and leave the telephone orders on the desk. It was something small that took about an hour out of her day but it was so nice to know we had at least a little help.

[Libby1987]

At the moment I get all that I want from my leader..

In exchange for my hard work and always trying to be excellent,

I am fairly compensated.

I am not given more work than I can safely manage.

Assignments and changes are communicated and sensical.

I am treated with regard and respect.

My vacation requests are honored.

I can take time off for family illness without being guilted.

I am praised both verbally and written.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

I'd prefer to have a leader with actual power instead of just responsibility. Most of them can't do much to help, even if they want to. The real leaders are much higher up on the food chain and practically invisible.

[vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN]

The best ever leader I had:

Her title was DON.

She would pull me aside, 1:1 to tell me about any questions/issues she had r/t my performance.

She listened to me explain my rationale. Or she would explain why I had to do things differently.

She told me I was a good nurse.

She encouraged me to have more confidence in my assessments and abilities.

When we had required clinical instructions, she was oh so very straight forward.

Some people said she was a b@tch because she was so straightforward. But I appreciated her so much.

I knew what she wanted from us. Plus she reviewed our documentation regularly and would call us in for a private talk if something was amiss.

She was funny, kept it real, and was personable.

I hope to one day be as good of a charge nurse / DON as she was to me.

[Guest219794]

Pull a shift every now and then.

We don't expect you to be an expert- your job is different.

We won't let you flail.

We will respect that you come out, do your best, and understand our job.

[ERGirl83]

For the most part, we have great leaders. Things I value are a focus on education and excellence. Help cultivate a staff that will elevate the department and become better nurses. Also, having clear rules and expectations that are applied evenly across the board to all employees. And finally, communication. We get that you don't need to ask our permission about every change or decision made in the best interest of the department. But, a simple FYI with a short and sweet explanation BEFORE implementing changes goes a long way for both of us.

[bagladyrn, RN]

Have your employees backs - even if it means sometimes bucking administrators, physicians and bean counters.

If you do this your employees will go to the ends of the earth for you!