The SDAHO Nurse Leadership program had its first session last Thursday, January 26. Program participants traveled from throughout South Dakota to Sioux Falls to network and grow in their professional development together.
This full day included ‘Key Lessons from a Nurse Leader’ panel discussion from:
- Beth Graff, Director of Clinic and Community Patient Services, Madison Regional Health System
- Lori Popkes, Chief Nursing Officer, Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center
- Michelle (Shelly) Roy, Associate CNO, Monument Health
- Amy Thiesse, Vice President of Nursing & Clinical Services, Sanford Health Network
Then Lindsay Olson, Nursing Practice Consultant, Center for Nursing Workforce Director South Dakota Board of Nursing discussed scope of practice, clarification of specific regulations, compliance within nursing licensure and explained the Health Professionals Assistance Program.
Abigail Gramlick-Mueller, Nurse Scientist with Sanford USD Medical Center discussed nursing inquiry. She examined the importance and purpose of research, evidenced based practice, and quality improvement. Abby provided suggestions on how to be involved and how to facilitate nursing inquiry within an organization, no matter the size of the organization.
Cori Heier, SDSU Nursing Faculty, reviewed traditional and contemporary leadership styles while reiterating leadership styles should change depending on your variables (organizational needs, situational needs, etc.). Cori encouraged participants to allow themselves grace while developing their leadership style. Investing time and building relationships with colleagues, as well as ‘getting a mentor…or two …or three’ was another key takeaway from Cori.
Debbie Kooiker and Robyn Ewalt with Avera Talent Development finished the day with Crucial Conversations©. The afternoon went quickly as participants identified what makes a conversation ‘crucial’, discussed video clips, and practiced newly learned skills with their learning partner.
Some participant comments from this day include, “thank you to the panel for their inspirational journey and insight”, “I appreciate the research suggestions to move forward in my small facility”, and “I can see how the Crucial Conversations© skills can help not only at work but also in my personal life too”.
Our next SDAHO Nurse Leadership session is February 23 where we will continue to grow in our Crucial Conversation© skills.
The SDAHO Nurse Leadership program is an annual customized education program designed to equip hospital and post-acute care nurse leaders with leadership and operational skills they need to be a successful and supportive leader in their organization. For more information, visit sdaho.org/nurse-leadership.
