Nurse Leaders: Leading at All Levels of Nursing Practice

By C. Plonien, DNP, RN, CENP
 
The advancement of nursing leadership relies on the recognition and promotion of nursing leaders at all levels of practice. Leadership happens at the front-line face to face with patients. It happens in Case Management, Quality, Education, Informatics, Executive Offices and in numerous other roles and various environments.
 
The TONL Spotlight this month recognizes two nurse leaders recommended by their respective TONL Chapter Presidents, Dr. Christi Nguyen, NCONL, and Dr. Kit Bredemis, PBONL. 

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NCONL: Christine Cox BSN, RN. Christine is a Manager at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. She is the Manager of Harris 7, Palliative unit. Christine is completing her MSN as an FNP, December 2021, TWU.

Christine Cox Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital ChristineCox@TexasHealth.org | 817-250-2749

How has TONL contributed to your career?
I love hearing the different ideas and philosophies from different seasoned leaders mostly. Sometimes this gives me new ideas to try and other times it boosts my confidence that I’m actually on the right track. Since I am a “baby manager”, reassurance is helpful.

Background in the nursing field?
Oh I’m a little bit of a different cat…I was a Paramedic/FF before becoming a nurse and truth be known, THAT was my dream job! That said, it was not conducive to my family life. So I went back to school and chose nursing. I had to start from scratch because all of my science courses were more than 5 years old at that point. It was a long road, but I got in, finished nursing school, and was hired on as a Versant Resident in 2014 on the Renal/Transplant Unit. I fell in love with it and the truth there is in the “art” of what we do! In 2016 I was promoted to the Supervisor position for that unit, and in July 2019 I became the Manager on an entirely new unit – Oncology.

What are your plans for future growth?
I will complete my MSN-FNP in December of this year from Texas Woman’s University. After that, I would really like to just focus on my own personal growth as a leader. I want to be sure and complete the CNML and spend some time doing some research as well.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
Feeling as though I’m giving the nurses the things they need to feel most supported. Sometimes it’s things like equipment or process changes, but when a nurse comes to my office, closes the door, and confides in me with complete vulnerability, it means the world to me. It says I have earned his/her trust and that is a precious thing to receive.

Personal Tidbit
Married for 22 years and we have one amazing daughter! As I said, my only hobby I have been allowed is studying for a long time. I can’t WAIT to get back to dating my husband again and making things on my Cricut machine! (Notice I said nothing about looking forward to cleaning my  house that I feel has also been neglected!) I expect to be fairly busy with that as I hear wedding bells for my daughter soon!

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PBONL: Marilyn Chapman BSN, RN. Marilyn is a Charge Nurse at West Texas Veterans Administration, managing care of Palliative Care/Hospice. Marilyn is completing her MSN in Nursing Administration, December of 2021, UTA. 

Marilyn Chapman Community Living Center/West Texas VA Health Care System mschapman1064@yahoo.com | 917-331-1940

Certifications
GERO-BC obtained 04/01/2021

How has TONL contributed to your career?
Knowing that TONL provides resources that will be fundamental in propelling my leadership endeavors has been very comforting. Having the support from other leaders and knowing I am not alone helps in the journey for excellence. Having mentors like Drs. Plonien and Bredimus will continue to be assets in my leadership journey.

Background in the nursing field?
During the 8 years that I have been a nurse, I have practiced on a progressive care/telemetry, medical/surgical unit, psychiatric unit, travel nursing, and currently long term care/hospice.

What are your plans for future growth?
As a life-long learner, I plan to be enrolled in a doctoral program by fall 2022. I plan to actively participate in TONL, and take advantage of any leadership trainings that are available.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
Seeing a smile on a patient's face, and hearing "Thanks for taking care of me. You are a great nurse", "I wish everyone gave back rubs like you do", "You are so patient". When my nursing assistants tell me that they are applying to nursing school because they have been inspired by me, these are some of the reasons I go to work. At the end of my shift, I am comforted because I know that I have given my best to those I serve.

Personal Tidbit
I was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, and I immigrated to the U.S. in 1987. Although I did not graduate from high school, I am determined to obtain as much education as I can. Although I was encouraged to pursue nursing, I resisted because everyone I knew was enrolled in nursing. I wanted to be different. After working as a certified rehabilitation counselor for over a decade, I decided that I could make a difference by being a nurse.

Community Involvement/Service
As a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Organization, community services is an important role. We engage in health screenings, disaster response services, as well as providing emotional and physical support to the disadvantaged.