Erik Martin, DNP, RN, CENP

Erik Martin’s passion for nursing ignited after his first daughter was born 11 weeks prematurely, and he inspired to pursue a career in seeing the incredible difference nurses caring made. In 2000, graduated with diploma from The Good Samaritan School of Nursing Cincinnati, Ohio. began as pediatric float pool nurse then obtained bachelors science degree Mount St. Joseph University 2005, masters Northern Kentucky 2007. has served progressive leadership roles since 2008.In 2015, attained doctorate practice (DNP) Saint University, research focus on generational differences, recruitment retention challenges next generation administrators. currently serves Vice President Patient Care Services Chief Officer Norton Children’s Hospital (NCH) Louisville, Kentucky. NCH is 271-bed free-standing facility Level I trauma center.Erik serving year president AONL. 2009 AONL Nurse Manager Fellow recipient 2016 Pamela Austin Thompson Early Careerist Award. 2008. center. AT: What you enter ultimately leadership? EM: At 15 years old, had opportunity experience firsthand nurse’s impact. It my sophomore high school when prematurely. She spent more than 7 NICU before coming home weighing only 4 lbs oz. One week discharge, she went apneic while feeding her. We rushed her emergency department where they admitted PICU meningitis. were an integral part helping comfort support we very scared. A little over later, during fair, took step into journey by visiting booth starting application process. That such powerful that helped shape your leadership! You entered at relatively young age well; can describe experiences leader? Looking back now, recognize displaying qualities early career, am grateful have leaders peers supporting professional growth beginning. 1 nursing, participating shared governance, within couple years, chair committees. There never shortage but always found great pleasure being solution. Accepting manager position surreal transitioning peer leader alongside train mentor me. Despite many them biggest champions, placed immense pressure myself be all things people. challenging time despite support, less manager, burning out considering other options including returning bedside. think speak others say so thankful remained leadership. made remain leadership, how did overcome period burnout career? mentors told me about Fellowship (NMF). time, associations affiliated clinical hadn’t even heard some learned NMF yearlong extensive development program leaders. feel extremely fortunate organization offered sponsor rest history! accepted participated NMF. (as often say) game changer single best thing I’ve ever done career. year, new skills leader, gained access tools resources strengthen practice, most all, became “tribe.” networking relationship building came community will cherish forever. How influence involvement AONL? After completing NMF, vowed pay it forward! committees task forces. Then, 2013, given lifetime wanted increase diversity their board invited inaugural appointed members, representing “early careerist.” capacity 3 elected Board Director Region 5, now president. definitely several unique AONL, excited are President. These certainly unprecedented times health care. do hope accomplish term? past 2 faced conquered More ever, realized value community. This afforded Diversity Belonging Committee. December, approved our statement guiding principles. document, much progress make diverse inclusive workforce, address social determinants health. During 2-year term, expand this important work begin focusing leverage (nurse leaders) collective efforts advancements forward. Also last workforce become dominant topic almost every meeting participate Many us struggling stabilize teams create healthy environments care workers thrive. decisions appoint committee focused challenges. cannot better help lead navigating through challenge. Yes, necessary discussion. Describe concerns ideas surrounding today future. Obviously, term encompasses huge breadth If narrow down, there primary areas keep up night. First, hearing programs turned away 80,000 qualified applicants jaw dropping. Our profession simply afford lose any individuals interested joining us. colleagues academia facing real. faculty shortages, physical limitations, technological needs schools colleges. Second stories surfacing burnout, compassion fatigue, soul injury. brought light responsibility nurse. astonishing statistics leaving My bedside rewarding life. hurts heart strain stress just joining. Furthermore, workload tenured making retire early. I’m proud profession, industry overall, finally talking promote worker well-being resilience. optimistic comforted knowing head on. third closely connected previous 2. wish could hit pause button prevent further attrition few years. staffing shortages daunting catalyst perpetual cycle turnover burnout. identify solutions retain current talent have, or slow stand chance stabilizing workforce. addition mentioned belonging topics near dear heart. regard? Let want who committee. amount chairing promoting environment psychological safety true authentic self. Together, acknowledged that, based own lived experiences, different places journey. As earlier, accomplished deal together eager continue work. vision “to unleash potential united community” advancing leading dismantle systemic racism develop education provide need belonging, build workforces, eliminate racist policies practices workplace. themselves ensure embed cultures? While not claim answers, know do. First yourself. educating books, research, podcasts, documentaries, listening courageous kind enough share experiences. looked identified unconscious biases. face reality having experienced discrimination gay man, privilege able hide behind white male. humbling process appreciate gravity state. aspects consider, diversity. differences strategies perspective related age/generation? Generational fact, portion DNP capstone involved evaluating whether person’s affected rated specific interventions aimed recruiting retaining conducted national survey asked participants rank impactful set 40 would either formal positions. analyzed results assess differences. demonstrated us, regardless generation, same attributes meaningful. interventions, work–life balance, which scored statistically higher Generation X Y individuals. reassuring takeaway recruit no cost valuable team members. Thank you. seems people generations may common might originally thought! transition state pandemic response. years? crucial role playing global pandemic. world constant change, still trusted profession. leveraging public using voices educate communities ways decrease spread COVID. Additionally, shined team. seize moment accept opportunities advocate ourselves patients discussions, White House. Finally, developing innovative models creating technologies change delivery lot group professionals these times. managed CNO supported leaders? Witnessing action what inspires each day. pandemic, those working pediatrics COVID differently. patient volume plummeted, excess adult counterparts opposite. shied They extreme flexibility stepped testing sites, serve employee nurses, answer calls state’s hotline, administer vaccines, fill outside pediatrics. truly witness teamwork one highlights returned got busy again, been priority. Encouraging uninterrupted off, day home, small card gift contributions them. Most importantly, believe setting success. sponsored attend AONL’s virtual resiliency program, director fellowships, take advantage programs, tools, resources, training successful certain tremendous humans, Who major influencers life husband Brandon source number fan. children Taylor, Bryce, Zayne, Jax, Lexi motivate Several Fellows, facilitator M.T. Meadows, CEO Emeritus Pam Thompson, get toughest stayed amazing friends. Words express gratitude appreciation wisdom, insight, advice. worked alongside, stronger, leader. goes families lucky remind why passionate and, reason show wanting advance healthcare overall. wonderful hear patients, family inspiration influenced positively! legacy nursing? change. stronger infrastructure, robust models, maximize use technology improve workflow 10 resilient look future careers fulfilling personal lives. aspire honor if contribute way achieving vision.Born:Cincinnati, Ohio.Hometown:Norwood, Ohio.Father 5:Taylor (26), Bryce (20), (18), Jax (6).Husband:Brandon Barnett.Currently live:In Prospect, Kentucky.One siblings.One word Erik:Authentic. Born: Hometown: Norwood, Father 5: Taylor (6). Husband: Barnett. Currently live: siblings. Erik: Authentic. Amy E. Trueblood, MS, RN, NE-BC, OU Health: Oklahoma Medical Center. reached [email protected] . Photography © Jamie Rhodes/Norton Healthcare. Ken Marcou