Vows to continue finding ways to lead and inspire change.
A love for politics leads to a nurse educator’s commitment to inspire her students to become nurse leaders who are positive change agents.
During my undergraduate nursing program, I became interested in politics and desired to learn more about the inner workings of our federal government. So I applied and was selected for a summer internship with a U.S. senator. I eagerly descended upon our nation’s capital one hot summer day and quickly contracted “Potomac fever”—a lifelong love of Washington, D.C., and all it represents. Those who love politics know exactly what I mean. While working in the Capitol, I truly began to appreciate our nation’s history and the importance of being knowledgeable about government policy.
I was one of what seemed like millions of interns in Washington that summer. Our conversations usually involved college majors, personal aspirations for graduate school, and political plans. Often, other interns were a little stunned to learn I was in a nursing program and, at that point, had no long-term political plans. Nursing was not a common major amongst political interns. Like so many others, I planned to obtain a graduate degree, but I expected mine to be in nursing.
I did complete my undergraduate nursing degree, and later, I would focus on nursing in my graduate studies—but that summer internship changed the course of my life and led to a continued love of politics. Most importantly, because I was one of the few interns who planned to pursue a career in nursing, I recognized the importance of serving my profession by being involved in both the development and implementation of health policy.
Learning to lead
Several years ago, I began my teaching career as a part-time clinical associate. Through this experience, I saw the enormous impact educators have on the next generation of nurses. To become an educator and leader in my beloved nursing profession, I obtained my MSN and PhD degrees. The formal education process provided the knowledge and skills to be an educator, but with regard to leadership, I now realize I did not learn how to be a leader in a specific course. I developed those skills by being around strong and passionate leaders who inspired and challenged me to be a better person and nurse. I aim to continue developing my personal leadership skills so I can better serve the profession and, I hope, inspire future nurses to bring about positive change for the profession and healthcare.
I believe it is critical for all BSN-prepared students to understand the inner workings of our state and national governments, how healthcare and politics intertwine—or collide—and the methodology needed to lead positive change. At present, I’m teaching macro leadership in an undergraduate course and thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to educate students on the topic. Although most of my students will never become directly involved in developing health policy, I hope each student will come to understand the basics of leadership and the process of leading change. I’m hopeful that a few will become interested and involved in influencing future health policy.
Doer or talker?
Early in my career, a very wise nurse said to me: “There are the doers and the talkers. What will you be?” That nurse inspired me to submit my graduate school application and start my career in academia. I strongly desire for my students to be “doers” who are actively involved in leading positive change. Having an idea for change and actually initiating sustainable change are, however, two very different things.
Healthcare is one of the hottest topics in Washington, and nursing students, regardless of educational level, need to be encouraged to learn more about health policy. Although few students will immerse themselves in health policy during a summer internship in their nation’s capital—be it in the United States or another country—there are countless opportunities to learn at state, provincial, or other levels. If future nurses pursue these opportunities, more nurses will be “at the table” in upcoming years when decisions are made regarding healthcare and nursing.
I still have many years ahead to evolve as an educator and leader in my profession and in healthcare. I’m only in the beginning stages, but I continue to seek mentoring and organizational opportunities to become a more impactful leader. I caught a bad case of Potomac fever that summer in Washington, and I will continue to find ways to lead change. Right now, I hope the macro leadership classes I teach will inspire baccalaureate students to become nurse leaders who are positive change agents. Those who do become change agents will make a difference in the care of human beings, whether in an acute care unit or at the national level. RNL
Editor’s note: Sarah Watts will present “Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders to Bring About Positive Change for Healthcare and the Nursing Profession,” on Monday, 30 October, at the 44th Biennial Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. See the Virginia Henderson Global Nursing e-Repository for additional information.
Sarah O. Watts, PhD, RN, is assistant clinical professor, Auburn University School of Nursing, Auburn, Alabama, USA.