“Certainly she was heroic . . . It was not by gentle sweetness and womanly self-abnegation that she brought order out of chaos . . . it was by strict method, by stern discipline, by rigid attention to detail, by ceaseless labor, by the fixed determination of an indomitable will . . . Changing a system means changing attitudes, expectations, and behaviors. It means overcoming disbelief, prejudice, and fear. Old systems do not readily embrace new ideas or information; defenders of the status quo can be stubbornly impervious to common sense…. ” (From Chapter 4 “The Fixed Determination of an Indomitable Will- Florence Nightingale” in How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas by David Bornstein).
As we head into 2012, conditions are such that our system(s) have never been more ready for a change maker, a leader. The Future of Nursing initiative supports work toward preparing and enabling nurses to lead change to advance health. How will this be accomplished?
õ Nurses take responsibility for their personal and professional growth by continuing their education and seeking opportunities to develop and exercise their leadership skills.
õ Nursing education programs integrate leadership theory and business practices across the curriculum including clinical practice.
õ Nurse representation on boards, executive management teams, and other key leadership positions.
Four characteristics of leaders are those who exhibit competency, honesty, those who are inspiring, and those who possess a vision for the future. The key word is exhibit. To possess these qualities but fail to demonstrate or show evidence of these behaviors does not reveal the leader within.
To clearly and wholly take on the role of leadership one requires courage and action.
The world in which we live is in need of a few million nurses who possess “fixed determination of an indomitable will” . . . after all it is our work to care for the human response. Human responses occur everywhere…so nursing happens everywhere as well…to recognize and embrace the full dimension and potential of nursing is a matter of changing attitudes, expectations, and behaviors. . . of overcoming disbelief, prejudice, and fear… welcome to 2012.
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