Willingness to learn made this nurse leader’s journey more enjoyable.
An associate dean from Australia recounts her nursing leadership journey and identifies four attributes that helped her along the way.
When I first started nursing, my aim was to provide the best care for my patients—to be their listener, counselor, and advocate; to provide reassurance and advice when needed; and to ensure, first and foremost, that their comfort, privacy, and basic needs were met.
I will never forget how I felt on my first day as I walked into the operating theater with its bright lights and sterile setting. My emotions were mixed. I was excited to experience my first day in a “real” job, but I was nervous, lacking confidence in my abilities and competence as a registered nurse. Six months passed before I settled into my role, felt part of the team, and was sure of my ability to handle the complexities of being a member of an operating-theater team. As I reflect on that time, I think of challenges I faced, but I’m also aware that it was my willingness to learn and desire to do my best—to go above and beyond—that contributed significantly to my enjoyment of the work.
Leadership on the fast track
Before another two years passed, I was asked to take on advanced nursing roles with more responsibility. At age 24 and just three years out of my university studies, I assumed the role of nurse manager when the current manager resigned without notice. I wanted to make sure I made the right decisions, did well in my work, and kept my superiors happy—although, at times, I felt like I was drowning and “just keeping my head above water.” Doing well and excelling are very important to me, but striving to do my best sometimes came at the cost of achieving a good work-life balance. That was also true of the next stage in my career, when I completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA Executive) and PhD in nursing leadership and management within the span of five years.
What I experienced as a novice nurse manager motivated me to pursue my doctorate. I wanted to help others who found themselves in a similar position. Using grounded theory methodology, I developed recommendations to support nurse managers in making effective decisions based on the following levels of experience: new nurse managers who strive to manage their day-to-day workload; entrepreneurial nurse managers—edge runners—who exhibit transformative leadership styles; and experienced nurse managers who, because of extensive managerial experience, optimize efficiencies.
I have worked in academia for more than 10 years now, commencing with serving as a tutor whilst pursuing my postgraduate education. For the past eight years, I have been part of the senior management team of The University of Notre Dame Australia’s School of Nursing & Midwifery and am currently associate dean involved in curriculum design and program accreditation. For the past two years, I have also been involved in regulatory affairs as a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
Reaching out
My recent experience as a participant of the International Council of Nursing’s Global Nursing Leadership Institute in Geneva has reinvigorated my passion for public health policy and advancement of global health. I have a strong interest in influencing future nurses through education. Working with international colleagues at the regional level, I want to improve the voice of nursing and help advance the work of nurses in underdeveloped countries. My current focus is on analyzing the work we do in educating and preparing nurses and fostering understanding and awareness of the global health agenda—specifically, contributing to those less fortunate by partnering and effectively collaborating with stakeholders at the international level.
As a chapter leader and past vice president of Psi Alpha-at-Large Chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI), I was involved with chartering this inaugural Western Australian chapter. I am excited to be nominated as the Oceania regional coordinator for the next biennium. If elected, my initial goal is to consider strategies for better collaboration and communication amongst chapters in the Oceania region and, through that, to achieve a united voice. I also want to reach out to chapters outside our region to share achievements and challenges and to have open conversation and dialogue.
Tips for the journey
Over the years, many students have approached me about my journey in nursing and asked for pointers on how they can one day be in my position. Four key points have helped me on my leadership journey.
Perseverance and determination. In every career, there are challenges. It is important to embrace the challenges because they test our commitment and risk-taking skills as well as our ability to overcome difficulties, gain confidence, and stretch our comfort zones. We are all capable of achieving career success. It comes down to how much perseverance and determination we have.
Seek out opportunities. Don’t wait for them to come to you. It is easy to stick to the status quo and stay in our comfort zone. But only through reaching out to others, considering available opportunities, and setting goals are we able to get ahead. With social media and information we now have at our fingertips, doing this is easier than ever.
Embrace lifelong learning. Stay abreast of the latest research in your clinical area, and further your knowledge in areas you are interested in. Knowledge breeds curiosity, which sets you up to question and learn more about your practice. You benefit personally and professionally, and your patients and institution also benefit greatly.
Identify a mentor—someone you admire and trust. A mentor is someone you can go to with questions and concerns, or maybe just to vent. Your nursing mentor should be someone who challenges you to be your best and achieve the goals you have set for yourself. I would not be where I am today without the guidance and support of my nursing mentors. RNL
Editor’s note: Karen Clark-Burg will present “Intrapreneurial Nurse Managers: Transforming Workplaces,” on Sunday, 29 October, at the 44th Biennial Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. See the Virginia Henderson Global Nursing e-Repository for additional information.
Karen Clark-Burg, PhD, RN, is associate professor and associate dean, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle Campus, Fremantle, Australia.