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13: Looking Back to Move Forward

DOI:

10.1891/9780826123923.0013

Abstract

This chapter focuses on leadership as transformational. Transformational leadership means moving a profession, an institution, or some aspect of healthcare down a new path with different expectations, structures, and ways of conceptualizing how the mission can be achieved in light of changing conditions. Looking back on all that nursing has achieved in the last half century can be energizing; it makes trying to do something different yourself not seem quite as daunting. Nursing is much stronger now as a profession than it has been in the past—larger, better educated, somewhat more diverse with a solid infrastructure, demonstrated outcomes, specialty expertise, a growing research base, more opportunities, and no longer time and place bound. Nursing’s commitment to the optimization of health and ability, alleviation of suffering, and advocacy hasn’t changed over time; values endure, but how they get expressed will vary as new sensibilities and knowledge become available.