Emergency Nursing, Jesse Lynwood, MLK Community Healthcare

For some older drug users who used to use crack, it’s now cheaper to get other fentanyl-laced drugs; I believe this contributes to psychiatric episodes like psychosis. However, there’s always been a high level of mental health crises in our emergency department. We have a small population here that was already struggling long before the pandemic.

At MLKCH, we have an anonymous program where we distribute Narcan for free to the general public. Teaching people how to use it can really save a lot of lives. The fact that people who need it can actually be taught to use it and then have it available to them is a true service to everyone.

You’ve earned both an MSN and certification as a public health nurse (PHN). How have those achievements served your nursing career?

My MSN has helped my advancement into my role as assistant nurse manager. It’s allowed me to see the bigger picture of our operations and helped me to grow into a better leader. My public health nurse certification prepared me to be a better patient advocate, as I’m more able to understand, assess and address the needs of our patient population, especially through patient education on issues that can improve our community’s health and safety.

What’s changed in this specialty during the course of your career?

We’ve had to be increasingly creative in the ways we triage patients and create treatment areas in order to see patients quickly with limited resources. The pandemic has allowed our hospital to take advantage of opportunities, like becoming one of the few hospitals in the state to offer a monoclonal antibody clinic. This definitely saves lives.

What makes an effective emergency nurse? What do you wish you’d known before you first set foot in the ED?

I believe that you have to be flexible and ready to adapt to any situation, no matter what. Fortunately, with my background, I knew exactly what I was getting into, but no one could have predicted what we would encounter during the pandemic. The more flexible and open-minded you are, the more successful you’ll be as a great team member who cares for patients and saves lives.

How did you become assistant nurse manager? Did you always aspire to a role in nursing leadership?

My goal was always to move into nursing leadership, which is why I pursued my MSN in healthcare administration. I’ve consistently pursued opportunities to evolve as a professional, including as a resource nurse and charge nurse, and I’ve participated in various committees. This type of exposure has helped me to develop and become a more critical thinker, clinician and leader.

What makes a successful leader?

You have to be a very good listener. Tending to the needs of your staff and helping them to feel seen and heard is an absolute necessity. We have to support our staff and give them the resources they need to succeed. With the pandemic and the increased number of travelers being deployed around the country, you also have to work harder to retain staff.

We need to take care of them in order to keep them with us. If they feel valued, supported and appreciated, they’re more likely to feel a sense of loyalty, family and community, which means they’ll stick around and remain a dedicated part of the team.

How do you keep learning and growing as a clinician?

In-person conferences have just now started to happen again, so I’m looking forward to that. In the meantime, I find journals, case studies, research and webinars very helpful for continuous learning. I also get in touch with my mentors regularly. I call and ask what they’re seeing and thinking about, and how their practice is changing.

How did you find your mentors?

I didn’t meet all of them directly on the job — they’re people I’ve met along the way, admired and asked if we could check in periodically. When I started as a sitter in the ED during nursing school, I asked the people I thought were strong leaders if I could meet with them every quarter to receive direction and feedback. I gained two excellent mentors in that manner.

What advice would you give to those who want to enter the field — especially nursing students and new grads?

You have to be proactive and pursue opportunities that will help you grow. Also, try to seek out good mentors. Do your research on the healthcare organizations you’d like to apply to and make sure that they value nurses and their development. That’s exactly why I wanted to work at MLKCH.

Any longer-term professional goals you’d like to share?

I definitely want to become a director of nursing!

KEITH CARLSON, RN, BSN, CPC, NC-BC, has worked as a nurse since 1996 and has hosted the popular nursing blog Digital Doorway since 2005. He offers expert professional coaching for nurses and nursing students at www.nursekeith.com.

In this Article: Career Advice, Emergency