Nurse Leaders & Social Media

First Tuesday - December 5, 2011.

Last week Terry Garner and the Abbott Northwestern team hosted our 5th Tuesday event - Socail Media for Nurse Leaders.  Thanks for the opportunity to bring MOLN to your site, it was a great location.

Many professional and volunteer organizations I participate in are seeking to use social media as a tool to connect, share information, and inform constituents.  Increasing your social media literacy will enhance your ability to influence others, and this ability to bring influence is vital to your role as a nurse. 

Last week I attended an AONE Chapter Leader meeting in Chicago.  Each state was represented as well as the leadership team from AONE - and I can let you know that the time is now to step up as a leader who is a nurse is as important now as it ever has been.  AONE and MOLN are ready to advance our collective voice as nurse leaders but we need your participation and voice.

Use these social media tools / resources that we saw at the 5th Tuesday event to learn how you can increase your reach, share your expertise, and amplify your voice on behalf of patients, families, and nurses.  Being literate in social media is not about you - it's about conversing and engaging your community.  Join me - I will help.

5th Tuesday Social Media Resources - 
Check out these resources in the link and more...
Social media for nurse leaders - the presentation
Mashable - Broad & deep social media resourse.  Easy to use and welcoming.
Know your numbers - Where Mayo Clinic, Jenny, and social media collide.  Must watch.

Mike

How to say it . . .

Last week was the 3rd Tuesday, this is the 4th Tuesday, and that means next week is an opportunity to attend the District G 5th Tusday event at ANW.  I hope you can join us - let me know if I can help you get there in any way.  Open and free to all who want to connect with other members and learn about social media and leadership.  Did I mention it is a free value provided by MOLN - see you there. Call me for help or e-mail. Mike at 763-520-2615 or e-mail link 

On this 4th Tuesday I wanted to post a short piece about LANGUAGE.  At the MOLN Fall Conference I was intrigued by Dr. Mary Chesney's presenetation, Words Matter: Choose Them Wisely.  As a nurse leader I have observed and expereinced that our words impact the outcomes achieved.  I have seen patients and families respond to their primary nurse in ways that advanced healing and health when words were inclusive and welcoming.  I have been with teams that were nimble, effective, and healty becasue the words invited many perspectives and blocked hierarchy.  The words we choose have great impact on our sucess as nurse leaders in delivering models of effective and safe care at the bedside.  My sense is that now is a time when words are especially critical to our work as nurses as we lead teams that are struggling with resource allocation, practice patterns, and system design.

I hope you will reflect on your own expereince with using words that matter. Consider how we might collectively begin to use inclusive team focused words as we advance the voice of nursing at all levels.

My goal with each post is to add value to your membership.  Here is one more short video.  The clip highlights how changing words can create a new and awesome outcomes.  Give it a try - change your words and change your world.

Happy Thanksgiving.  Mike

Culture

Moving to a new organization, taking on a new role, or facing a challenge are opportune times to assess a team culture and my role in sustaining, shaping, or rejecting the culture. Having recently begun working in a new hospital I have been a forced student of nursing culture.  I'd like to provide a few recent thought  provoking pieces that I have come across related to nursing leadership and culture. 

@ColorMeNurse on Twitter (Marie Manthey) posted a blog on the culture of hospitals and nursing leadership.  The blog post, From Where I Stand, correlates the best and worst of hospitals to the culture of nursing leadership.  The comment from Mary Koloroutis (RBC author) advances the discussion and gave me pause to reflect upon in how I lead culture in my work.

Just this week I used this short video, What is Culture? for its hopeful message that culture is what we make it, it is what we love, it is the collective 'us'.  It provides a decidedly positive and forward looking perspective to shaping culture.  Take a look.

And to plug our upcoming 5th Tuesday event Tweet Camp:  Social Media and Nursing Leadership I would like to highlight that each of these key pieces of content came to me via social media channels.  There is important and relevant material to help you in your daily work of nursing leadership on blogs, Twitter, YouTube and more.  See you on the 29th.

Mike

Tweet Camp

The last 5th Tuesday event of the year is fast approaching and we are changing it up a bit and going on the road.  Tuesday, November 29, 2011 you can join Tweet Camp: Social Media and Nursing Leadership, a one hour dive into social media and your professional life.

Jesse Stremca, e-Philanthropist and social media expert will guide us through the exemplars of the value to your nursing leadership.  We will explore privacy, protection, and productivity expereinces in working with teams, and explain some 1-2-3 steps to get you started in this key area of practice.

Check the Google Map in the box on the right, we will meet at 4:00 p.m. in the Abbott Northwestern Board Room - this is in the main building, just across from the McDonald's on the main floor. 

See you at the 5th Tuesday.  Mike

5th Tuesday - Next Week

Greetings District G members - I wanted to let you know about next weeks 5th Tuesday Round Table event.  You and your colleagues are invited to join us from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Health East Midway campus.  Our hope at MOLN is to bring you the opportunity to attend focused events to hear and discuss pertinent issues to our practice.  Next week the agenda will take us through the resources and structures available to support advancing patient safety as well as the chance to hear from others across the district who have had success with safety advances. 

Agenda:

Welcome
Overview of MHA and MAPS initiatives to advance your safety work
Exemplars from falls prevention and pressure ulcer prevention work
Discussion - what is next?  how can we align with others?  what pitfalls can I avoid?

Resources for review -
Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety (M.A.P.S.) http://bit.ly/mmOp1Y
Minnesota Hospital Association http://bit.ly/igJ8ba

Remember - all are welcome and the event is free.  Use the events box for location and details.

See you Tuesday - Mike

What if ?

I have been thinking of District G and nurse leaders across the state following our lively discussion at the last 5th Tuesday (March 29, 2011) when we met for a round table on the IOM Future of Nursing Report.  The big take away for me was how well positioned we are as nurses across Minnesota to use the knowledge and experience we already have to improve health and experiences for those we care for.  How do we accomplish that though as a profession much less as individuals?  As a  manager and nurse I have been talking and listening to those around me and what I see is that for those who are asking What if -  they are helping to advance the health experiences and outcomes of those around them and it looks like fun. We can do this in incremental ways by learning and sharing our experiences, and when we go places by bringing others along.

Here is an opportunity that may make you think What if ?

I recently finished up the design and build process for a new unit within our hospital.  This work is an important way nursing can and does influence health outcomes.  From the nurse executive to the bedside colleagues who participated in the process it was an initiative with the greatest potential.  Many of us across the state are involved in large and small projects to create new spaces for care - What if ? you stepped out and participated or supported your team to learn how design can improve health care.  The Densford Center at the University of Minnesota is developing a certificate program that fosters more functional and successful environments for providing health care.  Check it out and then step out - to advance health in Minnesota. 
See - we can do it individually and collectively.

Health Care Design and Innovation - link and check out page 5.

Thanks -

Mike

This Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 you have the opportunity to talk with colleagues about the future of health care and our role in shaping it.  I hope you can join us -

District G 5th Tuesday Round Table
March 29, 2011 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Health East Midway campus.

Agenda:  The Future of Nursing - a discussion of the IOM report in Minnesota.

1. Effecting workforce planning and policy making will require better data collection and information.
Planning for fundamental, wide-ranging changes in the education and deployment of the nursing workforce will require comprehensive data on the numbers and types of health professionals - including nurses - what is currently available and what will be required to meet future needs.Shirley Brekken MS, RN, Executive Director Minnesota Board of Nursing

2.  Nurses must practice to the full extent of their education and training.
While most nurses are registered nurses (RNs), more than a quarter million nurses are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), who have master’s or doctoral degrees and pass national certification exams. Nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives all are licensed as APRNs.  Learn how Minnesota practice law supports or hinders their participation in reforming health care.
Mary Chesney PhD, RN, CNP Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota School of Nursing

3.  Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that provides seamless educational progress.
To ensure the delivery of safe, patient-centered care across settings, the nursing education system must be improved. Patient needs have become more complicated, and nurses need to attain requisite competencies to deliver high-quality care. These competencies include leadership, health policy, system improvement, research and evidence-based practice, and teamwork and collaboration, as well as competency in specific content areas including community and public health and geriatrics.  Share your thoughts and hear others as we touch on educating nurses in Minnesota.

4. Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health care professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States.
Efforts to cultivate and promote leaders within the nursing profession—from the front lines of care to the boardroom—will prepare nurses with the skills needed to help improve health care and advance their profession. As leaders, nurses must act as full partners in redesign efforts, be accountable for their own contributions to delivering high-quality care, and work collaboratively with leaders from other health professions.  How are Minnesota organizations creating opportunities to be full partners?
Ginger Malone MSN, RN, MOLN President and Chief Nurse Officer North Memorial Health Care.


The Round Table is always a robust opportunity to learn, connect, and engage your District G colleagues.

Directions - See Google Map in the District G events box.
1.  University to N. Aldine Street.
2.  Visitor parking at N. Aldine and Shields Street.
3.  Enter the building under the '1700 University' car port.
4.  We will post signs to the meeting room.

The Future of Nursing in Minnesota - Leading Change

Whirlwind  /  Energizing  /  Insightful  /  Actionable  - The next 5th Tuesday District G is scheduled for Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at HealhtEast's Midway campus.  If you made it to our last event, I can promise the weather will be better and the conversation and information equally interesting.

Join us for a conversation to hear and talk about how the IOM Report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health is working in Minnesota.  Academic, public policy, and APRN recommendations and actions are called for and Minnesota is responding - but all of us must understand the role of nurse leaders in this change effort.

The 5th Tuesday offers an opportunity to connect with your District G colleagues, recharge your work week, and provides a measure of work - life balance as you excuse yourself from the office for a 3:00 p.m. meeting that will have you on the road to home at 4:00 p.m.  See you there -

Map and event details on the Blog Events right hand panel.
Resources before we meet:
Report Brief / 4 pages.
Focus on Education
Report Recommendations 


Best regards,  Mike

Join Forces

Good Morning MOLN District G -


One of the most rewarding things for me is being part of MOLN.  Connecting with interesting and dynamic leaders always advances my own leadership.  Last week the board met for our first meeting of 2011.  Several new members joined the group and I again was excited for nursing and nursing leadership in Minnesota.

I would like to link you through your membership to some exciting opportunities coming your way.  Please join us as well as share this post broadly in your network.


1.  February 24, 2011 MOLN Day on the Hill.   Event details.
2.  March 10 - 11, 2011 MOLN Spring Conference.  Conference details
     We heard you, the schedule begins Thursday in the afternoon and end Friday.  Short and Sweet.
      New pricing options and great values - PLUS, Cy Wakeman returns for part II.
3.  November 3 - 4, 2011 MOLN Public Policy Internship.
     Headed by the Government Affairs Committee, this is a valuable 2 day opportunity for anyone to learn and
     and practice the art of grass roots advocacy work.  Useful for all nurses - attend or invite a colleague.

Have a great week.

MS

Add Value

Good Morning MOLN District G members -

Recently I have been thinking about value at work.  When value is defined as getting the best outcome with the resources available it can redefine how you look at your work.  Consider the places you can get the best outcome for the best input and it will refocus your work - for me it was not so obvious.  To stop and consider this equation has served up a different list of priorities.

Read this blog post from the New Yorker by Atul Gawande to see how he proposes value can be added to health care - it is short, engaging, and can add perspective for the nurse leader on where to focus our work.  And it made me consider my nursing leadership - where can my energies be applied to get the best outcome?  I was encouraged to have fresh eyes and examine the stream of work that flows across my desk each day in a new light.  What "super-utilizers" exist for the nurse leader that we can tackle and add value for ourselves and our teams?

Some "super-utilizers" from my desk -
+ Inadequate or absent communication on your team.
+ Poor patient hand offs.
+ Lack of focus on the patient.

Awareness and an application of the talents you and your team possess are what is needed to add value to your practice, your team, and health care.  Join me in a discussion of how you are tackling your list -

Mike Skobba

Title remorse ?

Last week in her blog Nursing Salon, Marie Manthey wondered about the impact of taking the title of nurse manager v. head nurse.  If the head nurse was in charge of nursing for a respective area, what or who does the nurse manager take charge of?

As a 'patient care manager', yet another iteration of the title, I must say the title does impact the relationships I have with colleagues.  My position is rich with leadership supports and tools that advance my management abilities.  Likewise, my colleagues at the bedside are expert nurses who do the heavy and complex work of patient care shift in and shift out 24 / 7 with incredible outcomes.

More and more I have found myself putting forward to all my colleagues that I am first and foremost a nurse at heart.  For those who see me as a management leader you should know that this means my value lies in bringing forward the voice of the nurse / patient relationship in light of managements work.  For colleagues at the bedside, I am the head nurse.  I have shared experiences and stories just like you with patients and families and I willingly stand for our units nursing practice and lead us professionally.   

I have appreciated the kick to consider my title.  The current complexity of our organizations calls on me to know and develop many connections to meet the needs of patients, staff, and my employer.  In each of these connections, I leverage leadership and managment tools to perform my role as head nurse.

How about you ?

Keeping Resolutions

Good Morning MOLN District G members - Caring for others and advancing health are missions we hold near and dear as nurses whether we work at the bedside or in the board room.  As a nurse leader you innovate and adapt to stay close to those very missions that brought you to nursing.  In 2011 I would like to support your innovation in exploring the intersection of social media and nursing leadership.

Social media and the popularized tools can be expertly focused to support your leadership mission.  In 2011 are you resolved to engage your team, build improved experiences for patients, bring innovation and value to the daily operations of quality, safety, and service?  If you are like me and my hospital, these are the very challenges that must be executed.  The community and access to experts offered online is deep and dynamic - and can support and advance all the goals and resolutions you have for 2011.

Consider the following:

Why Health Experts Embrace the Social Web

Women & Social Media: opportunity to lead, innovate, & build relationships 

District G blog - use the content on the Blogroll List, Interesting Links, and the content on the Twitter feed - consider how the information and connections might add to your work - and how you might add to others.

Finally, thank you for your engagement and comments about MOLN and District G over the past year.  The intent of moving to a blog is to allow for our group to have an online community.  Now those comments, ideas, and expertise you have shared generously with me can be broadly shared by commenting and posting for all to experience.

So sign up for an e-mail subscription, post a reply or comment, and let me know what content you would like added.

See you next Tuesday,

MS