By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN Individualism and individual rights have become defining features of life in the United States. Focusing on one's needs versus the group's needs began with the Baby Boomer generation, and research indicates that it has steadily increased with each subsequent generation. I was struck by an op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal this … [Read more...]

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA, FAAN We will soon be in 2025, a brand new year.  The most effective leaders establish a few personal and professional goals each year. This is a good practice because it forces us to stretch outside our comfort zone.  But most New Year's goals are not achieved because the goal is not specific and lacks a plan.  There is good research to … [Read more...]

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN In his best-selling leadership book on communication, Simon Sinek notes, "All great leaders communicate in the same way. They always start with the Why.”  He notes that people won't buy into what you ask them to do without knowing the rationale behind a change. He describes this as upending the conventional path that many leaders use to … [Read more...]

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN A nurse manager recently asked me on a program why no one talks about the impact of FMLA use on nurse staffing. She reported the following problem: "Twenty percent of my full-time staff are out right now on FMLA, and most plan to take the entire three months. By union contract, these staff keep all their benefits during this time … [Read more...]