From Nurses Who’ve Been There: Expert Advice

By Meredith Foxx, MSN, MBA, APRN, NEA-BC, Executive Chief Nursing Officer

It’s a bittersweet moment when an organization’s experienced and tenured nurses choose to embrace retirement. For years, these individuals gave of themselves for the sake of others. They generously passed on their knowledge and wisdom to those following in their footsteps. And they made their own indelible mark in nursing and in healthcare.

Two Cleveland Clinic nurse executives are entering this next, well-earned chapter of their lives. I asked them for one more knowledge-sharing opportunity.

Read on for expert nursing advice and wisdom from Janet Schuster, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, HACP, Chief Nursing Officer, Lutheran Hospital and Jacqueline Nowlin, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, South Pointe Hospital, who together have more than 75 years of experience in professional nursing.

Q: What is special about nursing?

Dr. Schuster: Nursing is such a great profession — and one you will always be proud of. Nurses utilize their skills in so many ways. From the onset of your career, you learn to follow the nursing process and it becomes second nature — gathering data, assessing, planning improvements or actions and evaluating. And just like in life, if the plan doesn’t work, you start over.

Dr. Nowlin: There are many wonderful things about the nursing profession. When you fully engage yourself in your work, even on the tough days (and you will have them!), you still get tremendous joy.

We are privileged as professional nurses to have the opportunity to care for other human beings. We are there when a person enters this world, and we are there to hold their hand and support their loved ones when they exit. When you think of the power in that privilege and responsibility, it makes you want to be the best nurse you can be.

Q: As a long-time nurse leader, what advice do you have for nurses today?

Dr. Schuster: Stay focused on what’s most important and why you were called to the profession — it’s about the patient. Patients need nurses to be their voice, to advocate for their well-being and to act on their behalf. It’s not always easy and can be frustrating, but it’s important to be empathetic. Put yourself in their shoes and try to see things from their perspective. Everyone makes choices that others may not understand. Whether you agree or disagree, be there for your patient, listen to them and support them.

Dr. Nowlin: Allow yourself to connect with others. Engage in your surroundings and with your co-workers. Teamwork, empathy and compassion are what will get you through the most difficult days. Stay connected.

Q: What advice would you give nurses in the future? ​

Dr. Schuster: Take every experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. Nursing is a continuous journey, and nursing practice will continue to evolve as science and technology progress. Use your resources. Advance your degrees. Obtain professional certifications. And remember that evidence-based care delivery is the foundation of nursing practice. Find what the evidence is telling you and apply it. Also, garner a solid foundation in the medical-surgical nursing specialty because it is the core of all nursing practice.

Dr. Nowlin: Work with and through others on your team and remain focused on your patients. Be an advocate for patient safety and high-quality care. Always do the right thing for your patients, even when a process seems broken or doesn’t exist. Look at what is needed to support care and advocacy and provide clarity for the next nurse. Be the voice that promotes change when necessary. Be courageous, flexible and open-minded. Get involved in anything related to nursing practice. Nursing is not a job — it’s a profession that you chose, or it chose you.

Q: What should nurses consider to be the best nurse they can be?

Dr. Schuster: Be proud and confident. Seek out your colleagues within nursing and other professions. Some of the most significant “aha” moments happen when a caregiver colleague offers new insight. Practicing nursing is not done in a silo. Ideas can be rich.

Dr. Nowlin: Pause and reflect on the work that you get to do each day and the difference you make in the lives you touch. ​Be proud of yourself. Be a good listener. Build relationships. Be a life-long learner and stay curious. Healthcare changes rapidly, so remain open to change and new possibilities. Keep informed and current with what the literature and ever-evolving evidence tells you. Learn from cumulative experiences and use that knowledge to improve patient care, processes and outcomes. Be a change agent.

Q: How will you continue to influence the nursing community in your retirement?

Dr. Schuster: I plan to mentor and coach new nurses and those with experience. I will remain on the publications committee for the American Organization of Nurse Leaders, which will allow me to tap into other leaders’ ideas while continuing my journey. I will continue my professional board work, and hope to expand it. I will also continue to hold my RN license in Ohio, as well as my newly obtained license in Florida.

Dr. Nowlin: I plan to serve as a mentor to other nurse leaders and participate in speaking engagements on topics such as leadership and change management. I’m also interested in speaking at student nurse events about the nursing profession. The pandemic taught us a great deal about the need to stay connected with our profession and community so I will also be volunteering within the community, at health events and more. I am a nurse, and I always will be — that part of me does not know of or have a retirement date.