new and pretty, without patches or frays or stains, freshly washed. I
asked 2 of them about their perception of their biggest challenges. I'm
not using their names to protect their superhero identities.
One of my new leaders was an RN and a first assist, and was recruit-
ed to her new role by a physician who recognized her leadership
potential. She describes her biggest challenges as managing and train-
ing staff, and staying focused and getting everything done while
"being pulled in different directions." Her biggest fears are missing or
forgetting something that could affect operations or, worse, patient
safety. She's settling in nicely and is learning the balance between
being supportive and hands on, and finding time to get the administra-
tive tasks done as well. She doesn't want to be "that manager who
never leaves their office" as she has worked under these types of lead-
ers.
The medical director at one of my centers was dining at his favorite
restaurant when he met one of my other new leaders. Believe it or
not, he was waiting tables at the time. The physician encouraged him
to go back to college and hired him to run his new surgical center
after he graduated. He is doing an amazing job and has all the right
qualities to be a great leader.
He told me his first challenge involves time management. "While
time management to an RN is nothing new, as a supervisor I have to
take into account weekly, quarterly and even annual tasks for the ASC
to remain compliant and operational."
His second identified challenge is staffing. No surprise there.
"Currently, our facility utilizes agency personnel to help staff our
nursing and OR tech needs until we can be fully staffed. While
these professionals are excellent resources, we often have to orient
them."
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