By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Ever since Omicron surfaced as a variant, nurse leaders have said they hoped it would quickly fade. One leader shared with me, “I see the fear in the eyes of my nurses – they all say the same thing – not again, we can’t do this again.” This weekend, we learned that the Omicron variant is the most contagious virus that scientists have studied – more contagious than measles. Omicron positive test results are close to doubling every few days in parts of the country. Experts now predict that while the virus is less virulent and the vaccine offers some protection, it is likely our healthcare delivery system will soon face a tsunami of patients who need care. It is unclear whether children under five who remain unvaccinated could be affected more than with previous variants.
This turbulence came when nurses hoped to spend holidays with their families and get some respite from a grueling two years of COVID. Most healthcare systems nationwide are entering this surge understaffed. The national guard is being called up to help with hospital staffing and vaccination efforts in many states.
It is tough for leaders to stay positive when the news looks grim. Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “A leader is a dealer in hope.” His observation is supported by Gallup’s research findings of what staff wants from their leaders in times of crisis. Yet instilling hope can be challenging when there are so many unknowns. Nurse leaders are trying to calm the nerves of anxious and fearful nurses as they struggle with their uncertainty. Yet, the ability to see past the chaos and remain hopeful about future possibilities is an essential leadership quality today. We must believe that things will be better in 2022 and sustain our positivity.
Some strategies to consider during the next two weeks include:
1. Help them to set goals that empower them and are in their circle of influence – Have each staff member identify three personal goals for 2022 and discuss ideas to achieve them. Hope is alive when you have faith in a plan for your life and see possibilities for change while making progress toward your goals.
2. Communicate with staff about occurring changes – Treating Omicron patients is likely to involve some new policies and practices. When information is absent; rumors will fill the vacuum and fuel fear. Nurse leaders need to be honest about the information they have been given and can share. Ask staff if they have heard stories or rumors that they want to confirm with you.
3. Establish a no-whining environment – Keep reminding staff that pessimism and hopelessness are contagious. Leaders need to be compassionate but also need to dial back the drama. Build an environment whereis promoted, and you “flip” negatives into positives.
4. Have an attitude of gratitude and retain your sense of humor – Don’t overlook celebrating the holidays in any way you can. There is joy in celebrating essential rituals in our lives. Encourage your team to be grateful for what they have. Cultivating a healthy sense of humor and perspective instills hope.
5. Focus on the patient – Keep the staff patient-centered to keep a sense of purpose. What can we do for patients, so they stay connected to their families?
We all know leaders who have hope when others don’t. Be one of those nurse leaders who instill hope in their staff. Trust that things will work out after this pandemic passes. It may not be painless or easy, but things will be fine and work out in positive ways that we may not anticipate in advance—Merry Christmas to all of you, and know that the work you do matters at this time.
© emergingrnleader.com 2021
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