UNDERSTANDING MY WHY

“Understanding My Why”

It feels strange to write or speak about my qualities. I believe we all have qualities, and some of those qualities are more prominent than others. My friends and family would probably describe me as loyal, reliable, and organized.  My friends usually joke about me being "always on time," and expecting everyone else to be as well. I have been told numerous times that I am funny, caring, and patient.

 I am grateful for my children, parents, friends, and my coworkers.  Spending time with friends, my kids, and my parents brings me great happiness. The little moments, like morning coffee with my mom, hugging my children, walking my dog are moments that I cherish.  It is funny how the older I get, the life becomes simpler and little things are what's important. 

Am I living the life I imagined? I think I am.  As a kid growing up in Serbia, former Yugoslavia, I always dreamed of moving to far away land.  Maybe I had a premonition. Well, my dream became true when I moved to the United States in 1991. At twenty-three years old, I was eager to learn and prove myself.  I thank God every day for giving me an opportunity to come to this country and be whatever I want to be.  Do not get me wrong, I love my "old country," and I visit Serbia frequently.  However, the United States is "home."  I feel fortunate to spend the majority of my life in the United States.

My current position as a case manager is another aspect of my life that I cherish. Being able to make a difference in someone's life, by offering empathy, and just being present brings me great joy.  Working in a health care field and advocating for my patients is very rewarding.  I guess that is why I do what I do??? 

WHY DO I DO WHAT I DO???

There are many answers.  However, it is very simple.  Because I care, I love helping people, I like teaching, empowering and listening to people.  I remember when I was a nursing assistant in a nursing home, and after a hard day I "complained " to my mother on how hard my day was.  My mom replied, "Just hope that one day when you are old and frail, there will be people like you to take care of you."  It is that simple, but at times we need to hear it.  Helping another human being at their most vulnerable time, spending extra five minutes just listening to the patient goes a long way.

             Steve Jobs video was inspirational. As he points, it is crucial to focus on the reason why we do what we do, and the impact we make on others. Mr. Job’s ability to contribute and be present, despite his terminal illness, helped me to discover my personal reasons and why’s (Jobs, 2008).

After reviewing the American Nurses Association (ANA) leadership competencies, I found out that I have many opportunities to learn and grow as a leader.  I was never in a direct leadership position.  I am aware of my deficits and lack of experience in leadership.  However, I am also conscious of the direction that I want to have and follow.  I am aware that leaders should listen to the staff and include them in decision-making (ANA, 2016).

            According to Porter-O'Grady (2016), future leadership needs to shift from being parental in nature, to being permissive. The nursing profession is ever changing and in my experience nursing profession has been controlling. Hence, it is an imperative to change to transformational leadership style. I believe that empowering employees ant trusting them will positively impact nursing profession.

Porter-O'Grady (2016), asserts that there is no accountability without ownership. Wow, what a powerful statement! It is an imperative that we as nurses take ownership in our profession and become the best leaders we can be.

As a mother, daughter, nurse and human being I am eager to discover my purpose in life entirely. I believe that I am on a right path. However, as a spiritual being, we are always creating new ways of bettering ourselves and those around us. God bless!

References

American Nurses Association (2016). Nursing Administration: Scope and standards of practice (2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: ANA.

Jobs, S. [Stanford]. (2008, 7 March). Steve Job’s 2005 Stanford commencement address. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc

Porter-O’Grady, T. & Malloch, K. (2015). Quantum Leadership: Building better partnerships for sustainable health (4th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.