By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN “I am just not sure that I am ready to take charge on my unit. I know I have leadership skills but I am a relatively new nurse. Am I really ready to assume all this responsibility? My nurse manager thinks I have excellent leadership potential and is encouraging me to take the plunge. But what if the staff does not respect me in the role … [Read more...]
Nursing Leadership Career Derailers
By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN There are many good resources about how to be a great nursing leader. You will find far less written about the kinds of behaviors that can derail your career, some of which you may engage in unknowingly. Consider the following case study: Miranda Perez is oncology nurse with five years of experience. She recently enrolled in a graduate … [Read more...]
Leading from Where You Stand
By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams I cringe when I hear nurses say "I am just a staff nurse". You don't have to be a chief nursing officer or a nurse manager to "lead". You can lead from wherever you are in the organization. If you manage your … [Read more...]
Does Clinical Experience Matter in Nursing Leadership?
By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN How many years of clinical experience should I have before I seek a leadership position? This is a question that I am frequently asked by novice nurses who are considering a career as a nurse leader. My response is that there is no one right answer to this. It would be easy to make a recommendation if a certain amount of time spent in … [Read more...]
Chief Nursing Officer Advice to Emerging Nurse Leaders
By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN Each year in my Introduction to Nursing Leadership graduate course, my students select a chief nursing officer in a health care agency to interview. The students have a list of questions that they ask and then add some of their own. I enjoy these reading these interviews because they highlight the changing challenges in today's health … [Read more...]