In this episode, we are joined by Theresa Dawson, Chief Nursing Officer at Oaklawn Hospital, to discuss her role at Oaklawn, challenges surrounding recruiting & retaining staff, the importance of leadership to have an understanding of both the business and clinical sides of healthcare, and more.
Summary
Theresa Dawson Discusses the Challenges of Healthcare Staffing at Oakland Hospital
In this episode, we are joined by Theresa Dawson, Chief Nursing Officer at Oaklawn Hospital, to discuss her role at Oaklawn, challenges surrounding recruiting & retaining staff, the importance of leadership to have an understanding of both the business and clinical sides of healthcare, and more.
Oakland Hospital: A Small Hospital with Big Challenges
Oakland Hospital is a small independent hospital in South Central Michigan. As Chief Nursing Officer, Teresa Dawson is responsible for the nursing staff as well as other clinical areas such as cardiopulmonary, laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy. Recruiting and retaining nurses has been particularly challenging due to the pandemic. Travel nurses are often brought in to help meet staffing needs and must make an effort to fit in with the rest of the crew. One of the biggest challenges this year is putting together a budget that makes sense and can keep the hospital afloat.
The Importance of Leadership in Healthcare
Teresa also recommends continuing education on business topics, being flexible and transparent in decision making, and being open to ideas from others. She emphasizes the importance of leadership having an understanding of both the business and clinical sides of healthcare. This allows for better decision making and more efficient operations.
Resilience in the Face of a Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges for healthcare workers. Teresa stresses the importance of resilience in order to navigate the long-term effects of the pandemic.
A Thank You to Teresa Dawson
We extend our thanks to Teresa for her leadership and success at Oakland Hospital. It is because of healthcare professionals like her that we are able to navigate through these challenging times.
Note: This is an AI generated transcript, not edited by a staff writer and is solely intended for educational purposes. If you have any questions/concerns, reach out to podcasts@beckershealthcare.com
This episode aired on 01/31/2023 and can be listened here.
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