Stanley C. Thompson, MD, MHA, FACEP, Chief Clinical Officer, LifePoint Group
This week (Nov.7-13) we celebrate National Nurse Practitioner Week 2021. I thought it was perfect timing and long overdue to give a big THANK YOU to all of our NPs on behalf of everyone at TeamHealth. We are blessed to have you and deeply appreciate all you have done and continue to do.
Thank you, NPs
More than 2,600 TeamHealth nurse practitioners have worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They weathered the ups and downs of volumes, while shouldering the brunt of clinician workforce adjustments made due to low and high volume fluxes. Additionally, our NPs readily accepted changes in their work format. They staffed COVID tents, became the clinician in triage in many EDs and worked the COVID units in many hospitals. They sacrificed a lot to bring the best care possible to patients despite the circumstances and demonstrated true leadership.
Some great advice for leaders and one of my favorite stories is “respect is earned in the trenches.” The story is of a man on horseback riding up to a group of soldiers and their leader. The soldiers are digging a trench, and the leader is standing above the men barking orders and threatening punishment as the battle-wearied soldiers dig. The man on the horse asked the leader, “Why aren’t you helping them?” The man replied, “I’m in charge. These men do as I tell them.” He then added, “Help them yourself if you feel so strongly about it.” So, the man climbed down from his horse and worked alongside the men until the job was finished.
Afterward, the stranger congratulated the men for a job well done. Then turning to the “leader,” the horseman stated, “The next time your rank prevents you from assisting your men, notify me, and I will come up with a more permanent solution for that problem.” It was at that moment that the leader recognized the stranger as none other than General George Washington.
Barking orders and having no appreciation for the people who get the real work done is a poor leadership strategy. Never asking anyone to do what you’re not willing to do yourself is another similar leadership rule. Following my own advice, I am proud to take the time to recognize all TeamHealth APCs that have worked hard in the trenches throughout the pandemic.
Nurse Practitioner Week 2021
Enjoy this special message from TeamHealth leaders, physicians and a fellow NP.