Episode 5: The Top 6 Reasons to Join a Professional Organization
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Episode Summary In today’s world of ever-evolving healthcare needs, nurse leaders are being asked to juggle more responsibilities than ever before. So it makes sense that many of these busy professionals would hesitate to add another commitment, like membership in a professional organization, to their respective plates.  However, according to Drs. Susan Hernandez and Donna Montgomery, the benefits of joining a professional organization like the North Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership (NTONL) far outweigh any potential scheduling snafus or inconveniences. Many nurse leaders find that NTONL makes it easier and more enjoyable to meet their commitments.  Within a rapidly changing environment, NTONL is a forum for nurse leaders to promote compassionate, effective, and efficient healthcare. It’s also a safe space for nurse leaders to network, troubleshoot difficult issues, and build each other up.   In this episode of CarePoints with Kenny Schiff, Drs. Hernandez and Montgomery discuss the many advantages associated with professional organizations in general and NTONL, specifically. On the podcast, Drs. Hernandez and Montgomery talk about how NTONL promotes essential continuing education and training while connecting nurse leaders with community-specific support. They also emphasize the importance of creating judgment-free spaces in which nurse leaders can connect, address obstacles, and brainstorm solutions to complex problems.  As nurse leaders continue to manage myriad responsibilities in high-pressure environments, joining a professional organization like NTONL can ultimately help nurse leaders stay up-to-date educationally, get the support they need to thrive, and give back to their professions. Featured on the Episode Name: Dr. Susan Hernandez  What she does: Dr. Susan Hernandez, DNP, MBA, RN currently serves as the Health System Chief Nurse Executive for UT Southwestern Medical Center. She is the Past President of the North Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership (NTONL), where she is committed to developing and supporting leaders in nursing.  Organization: UT Southwestern Medical Center) Words of wisdom: “Give [NTONL] a shot. It’s not extra work, and it’s incredibly valuable. Share your ideas, your opinions, your thoughts, and your expertise with all of those who are already involved. It’s worth the time, and it’s a lot of fun.” Connect: LinkedIn)   Name: Dr. Donna Montgomery  What she does: Dr. Donna Montgomery, DNP, MBA, RN is the Chief Clinical Informatics Officer for Lone Star Communications. She has spent over 35 years as a healthcare leader in varying roles including nursing management, IT management, product line development, process improvement, informatics, and executive leadership data. Organization: Lone Star Communications, Inc.) Words of wisdom: “One of the things that we are really wanting to do in NTONL is encourage up-and-coming young leaders to come and join us. It’ll be good for us, and we hope that it will be good for them.” Connect: LinkedIn)

Key Points

Top takeaways from this episode

Professional organizations facilitate essential continuing education. The healthcare environment is always changing and evolving; participating in a professional organization is one-way nurse leaders can ensure that they stay up-to-date with skills and technology. NTONL even conducts an annual internal needs assessment of nurse leaders, to ensure that their educational offerings are relevant to nursing administration and healthcare providers.

Join a committee to get more out of membership, while giving back. NTONL has developed three distinct committees — Education, Communication, and Membership — to empower nurse leaders to give back to their nursing community in a meaningful way. The Education Committee plans and executes bimonthly membership meetings as well as the annual Fall Forum. The Communication Committee leverages social media to increase the visibility of nurse leaders. The Membership Committee supports chapter activities and networking events to encourage NTONL’s recruitment and growth. There is truly a role for everyone.

Diverse perspectives fuel advancement. Professional organizations bring together a unique and varied cross-section of nursing personnel to share ideas, information, and support. NTONL is committed to uplifting professionals in every career stage. NTONL is designed to foster the interchange of new knowledge and innovation in an accepting and understanding environment. Plus, sometimes, simply speaking with someone who genuinely understands the challenges of nursing can make all the difference. 

Episode Insights [01:04] Professional organization appreciation: Drs. Montgomery and Hernandez have both been well-served by the professional organizations that they have been part of, including NTONL.  [02:20] Connecting nurse leaders to communities: As a busy professional, Dr. Hernandez understandably had some reservations about adding another commitment to her plate. Once she joined NTONL, however, she benefitted immediately. [03:42] Learn from leaders at any level: Continuing education through NTONL empowers nurse leaders to advance their skills and master new technologies. Educational sessions encourage participants to engage in open dialogue facilitating inter-generational collaboration.  [04:34] Become a board member to give back: Dr. Hernandez initially took an advisory board position for two reasons. She wanted to give back to her profession, and she was interested in learning and growing with a motivated group of people outside of her organization.  [05:46] Fostering a supportive environment: NTONL taps into the expertise of nurse leaders doing different jobs in a variety of settings. NTONL empowers nurse leaders to collaborate with colleagues with whom they rarely interact in their day-to-day jobs. [08:50] Get more out of membership by joining a committee: Participating in a committee — like NTONL’s Education, Communication, and Membership Committees — is a great way to support your profession while learning, growing, and having fun. 

[10:10] Stop by an event or find NTONL online: Dr. Hernandez encourages interested nurse leaders to stop by an event to learn more about the organization. Get more information on the NTONL website), through their Facebook page), or on LinkedIn).

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