National Nurses Week: Showing the Best of True Leadership

Part 4 of a 5-part series commemorating nurse executives who have led through the pandemic.

HealthLeaders is celebrating National Nurses Week, May 6-12, by highlighting nurse leaders each day throughout the week who were among healthcare workers nominated by a colleague for HealthLeaders' "Leading Through the Pandemic" sweepstakes. Each nomination included comments from the colleague, which are featured here.

Handling the influx of COVID-19 patients and the deadly virus that brought them to hospitals required much more than bedside treatment; it required strategy, communication, agility, collaboration, and more day after day to take command of the crisis.

These three nurse leaders have done what it takes to guide their nurses through an unparalleled situation by stepping up and living up to the term "nurse leader."

Carole Bales, RN, MBA

Director of nursing, Central Baptist Health, Lexington, Kentucky

Carole's unit was the first designated in-patient COVID+ care unit. She had to organize and facilitate a whole new type of care that changed numerous times over the course of the past year.

She kept her staff uplifted and she cared about every patient who came through the doors. She represents the best in healthcare and management in good times and bad. She is very admired.

Jessica Carter, RN, TNCC, TNS

Director of nursing services, Ferrell Hospital, Eldorado, Illinois

At the beginning of the pandemic, Jessica was transitioning from the educator/safety director into her current position of the director of Nursing Services. She was truly a leader during this time, taking command of the hospital's response to COVID-19 while ensuring her nursing staff was prepared for what was ahead.

She continued to expertly manage both positions until May, when the educator/safety position was filled. Jessica is the reason for our hospital's efficient and safe response to the COVID pandemic and without her leadership we would not have as effectively navigated the challenges that COVID brought to our hospital.

Cynthia 'Cindy' Herrington, DNP, FNP, NE-BC, OCN

Chief nursing officer, Indiana University Health Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana

Cindy led the South Central Regional Indiana University Health nursing team during the pandemic. She increased COVID bed capacity by selecting the right team from frontline leaders to executives. She remained calm and created a sense of urgency within the regional nursing team while also assuring and creating urgency within the executive team.

She led with passion, creativity, purpose, and resiliency. She kept safety at the center of our work with patients, team members, and families. Her professionalism and sense of purpose were and are appreciated daily.

Be sure to visit HealthLeaders each day during National Nurses Week to see new stories recognizing dedicated nurse leaders who have made sacrifices as they've led their nursing staffs through unprecedented and difficult times.

Catch up on previous stories:

Part 1: Honoring 3 Nurse Leaders Who Worked Tirelessly

Part 2: Taking Care of the Frontline Caregivers

Part 3: Nurse Leaders Worked Elbow to Elbow With Their Staff Caring for COVID-19 Patients