Interview With Launette Woolforde, EdD, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, FAAN

Launette Woolforde, EdD, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, FAAN, is a renowned expert in nursing and health care. At Northwell Health, she serves as chief officer of the system’s Manhattan region, including Lenox Hill Hospital, Health Greenwich Village, Eye, Ear Throat Hospital. RS: Launette, congratulations on your appointment officer. As I understand it, this first CNO position. Can you briefly share with us motivation for accepting role? LW: Yes, although I’ve been involved nurse executive leadership work some time, my role. really wanted to take varied experiences fostering nurse-led processes change, professional development practice, put it Of course, am laser focused operations, quality, safety, but role, also see myself enabler. In other words, someone who creates pathways that enable nurses do what we best—and know have many talents! Some those talents include innovative problem solving working creatively whole team caring patient. We are key players when comes developing creative strategies result better patient care outcomes because from very comprehensive perspective. believe strongly cornerstone future relies heavily nursing. So, accepted role goal contributing improving system all need depend on, aim so by strengthening teams, especially at frontline. Ensuring has voice table practice delivery paramount me. What number 1 challenge facing today? I’d say well-being, I’m talking about employee well-being. New York, faced peak COVID pandemic Spring 2020 an aftermath ever since. The world saw gave our save lives humanly possible keep each encouraged afloat. This experience taken toll, members, its impact still being felt. Nurses trying balance their own emotional well-being feelings increased stress burnout. manifests itself different ways people, dealing version this. always incredible, may not had clear lens into way they did pandemic. referring includes staff exhaustion, compassion fatigue, post-traumatic stress, among things. Whatever title choose give overarching concern around significant impacting profession way. steps taking resolve this? big small steps. An increasingly important priority me can promote self-care recognize appreciate amazing people with. Everything saying more thank yous holding appreciation gatherings encouraging leaders same. Hospital (LHH), (MEETH), Village (LHGV), use approaches such let’s connect huddles positive messages notes thanks one member another letters patients families. On larger scale know, part Health. began spotlighting wellness years ago, couldn’t be happier that. utilization tools resources made available employees trackers partnerships organizations, recognition programs, mobile applications. Additionally, system–wide programs were launched last summer specifically support mental health. Who process? Everyone. All levels staff, senior leaders, individuals, groups enhancing Our come up ideas help One group created boxes unit contain calming items related information. utilize code lavender. Anyone call lavender do, response or department guide through time difficulty providing opportunity talk, share, express supportive environment. provides access soothing including, limited to, scents balls, information additional resources. LHH lounge similar purpose. LHGV, worked together create entire relaxation room well onsite gym. shared governance structure underpinned Collaborative Care Model collaborative councils (CCCs). CCCs interdisciplinary staff-led exist level roll organizational level. These identify solutions various issues arise 2020, healthy environments developed numerous initiatives included wellness. enjoy tip week human provides, seeing “gratitude jars” nurse’s station. jar where quick gratitude collected regular basis. barrier opportunities probably worst enemy journey toward greater There no question workforce feeling strain. reading literature leaving unprecedented rates, just nursing, general, employers having positions open, applicants—a somewhat unusual phenomenon. But abound, lots new generated messaging, acceptance idea self-ish. By far, season than barriers. year half resulted deal personal life reflection workplace reflection. think giving even ourselves other, outcome. would helpful. Pace yourself brace yourself! CNO, it’s tempting want address everything everyone brought attention immediately. can’t go urgent list. You’ve got needed get culture team. Don’t something place will perfect fit bring While could be, sign tone deafness part. It’s develop prioritize considering most them. And stakes high environment intense, never underestimate power kindness colleagues. People respected appreciated, feel granted. spend much work, why make enjoys coming difference makes. Make fosters people’s ability great whatever wide variety members publicly frontline CNO. proud doing show skill, compassion, insight Thank sharing readers. Roxane Spitzer, PhD, MBA, Editor Emeritus Nurse Leader, Madison Wisconsin, board directors OnSomble. She reached [email protected] .