Looking for the leader, in you

Abstract

It is my belief that emergency nurses are natural leaders. Let's face it: to survive in the ED environment, you need to exhibit a fair amount of assertiveness, confidence in your knowledge and abilities, and commitment to your cause—the care of your patient. However, many emergency nurses do not see themselves as leaders, nor do they wish to take their leadership abilities beyond the walls of the hospital. Yet the US health care system is at a point where we need all of our colleagues to step up to the plate and take their position as leaders in our profession. We need leaders to advocate for universal access to care for our patients and for a health care system that provides for all our citizens. We need leaders to advocate for a system that allows adequate reimbursement for services we are obligated to provide and for federal regulations that help us care for our patients, not create incredible obstacles. We need leaders to advocate for workplace safety regulations and promote motor vehicle safety legislation. We need leaders who will promote emergency nursing and advocate for positive working environments and mentoring programs that will attract young students into the field. Finally, we need leaders who will help to define, for the public, for those in government, and for our colleagues in health care, exactly who emergency nurses are and the unique role we play in the care of our patients. In 2001, I would like to focus on leadership in emergency nursing. I will speak to emergency nurses on the importance of leadership and help them realize the leadership abilities lying within themselves. Mentoring will be highlighted as a way we can give of ourselves and give back to our profession some of what we have learned, in order to ensure its continued growth and enrichment. Membership in ENA is vital if we are to speak together with a strong voice as leaders in emergency nursing and share our vision of emergency care. A new president has taken office in the United States and a new Congress is in place. It is time to refresh ourselves, realize the power that lies within us, and step forth united on issues of importance to emergency nursing. ENA has updated its public policy agenda for 2001,1Emergency Nurses Association Public policy agenda. The Association, Des Plaines (IL)2001Google Scholar outlining how we as an Association will focus our legislative efforts in the areas of domestic abuse, emergency and trauma care, injury prevention, occupational safety, and quality patient care. Be sure to contact our director of government affairs at mailto:http//[email protected] to get a copy of ENA's public policy agenda so you can familiarize yourselves with the issues and be an active participant in our legislative efforts. Believe in yourself and the many gifts you have to share. Believe that you can make a difference and have an impact on your environment. Believe that you will be successful in your objectives, no matter who you are or where you come from. Believe that you are a leader. Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”2Covey S The seven habits of highly effective people.in: Fireside Books, New York1989: 96Google Scholar Let's make 2001 a year of great achievements in emergency nursing!