Secretary/Treasurer Candidate
Dustin Bass
DNP, MHA, BSN, RN, CEN, NEA-BC
North Carolina
dustin.bass@yale.edu
Why do you seek an officer position on the ENA Board of Directors?
I am a servant and transformational leader, passionate about improving the lives of nurses at the stretcher side and our leaders charged with leading our EDs internationally. I also believe in continually working with the Board and our ENA leaders to strategically advance our profession and association as we embark on new and exciting endeavors which will, without a doubt, elevate us into the future. Incorporating DEI, robust knowledge of ED operations and the healthcare climate, and a long-term commitment to ENA have prepared me for continued service. As an officer on the ENA Board of Directors, I would be allowed to continue my service and dedication to our profession and association while also further advancing our profession and sharing my thoughts, knowledge, and experiences in a contributory manner with the Board. Specifically, as secretary-treasurer, I hope to gain additional expertise and a 360 degree understanding of the workings of the governance and financial aspects of ENA. Knowledge of these principles and workings will provide me with a clear and deep understanding so that I can continue to provide meaningful, robust strategic discussion and thought leadership to the Board, profession, ENA staff, and the association.
How does your academic, professional background and experience on the ENA Board make you a qualified officer candidate?
As the current Assistant Vice President of Emergency Services for Atrium Health Cabarrus (with a combined annual volume of 130K visits), a Board Certified Emergency Nurse, and a long-time ENA member and ED RN, I have immersed myself in the operations and inner workings of the profession of emergency nursing for over 13 years. I served as the co-chair of the National Education and Planning Committee in 2020 after three years of continuous committee service. The ENA connection named me in the first class of 20 under 40. Since my ENA membership began, I have actively held regional, state, and nationally elected ENA positions while mentoring and recruiting other professionals to be active within the association. Additionally, the defense committee successfully accepted my doctoral thesis at Yale University (anticipated graduation in May of 2023), where I demonstrated positive outcomes in reducing ED overutilization for vulnerable patients through a targeted advanced care management program. I have reviewed multiple articles for publication in the JEN. I would consider myself an ED nurse and ED nurse leader "through and through" with a passionate connection and desire to advance both ENA and the profession of emergency nursing.
Outline the specific contributions you hope to make as you continue your role on the Board in an officer position.
Specifically, I can provide strategic visionary, thoughtful dialogue and communication between the board and am seen as a formal and informal leader. I connect with ENA members internationally and across generations to bring various perspectives and views together so that the ENA board can be informed of the inner working of our membership. My business acumen and knowledge of the healthcare industry will prove beneficial as ENA continues to grow and build its ENA consulting arm, Engage. I hope to bring business-focused, innovative thought leadership to the board and ENA as I continue on my journey. I am confident my contributions will be considered beneficial and meaningful throughout my continued tenure on the board and as an officer.
Provide a narrative that exemplifies how you demonstrate the Board competencies.
I strive to intentionally demonstrate and live the board competencies in all my interactions in ENA and beyond. I am a collaborator who often seeks to understand the views, opinions, and thoughts of others to advocate for the best possible decision and outcomes for ENA. I work to be considered approachable and create psychological safety in my relationships so that others can view me as a productive team player. My business acumen, continued relevance in the healthcare business world, and my strength surrounding strategic focus allow me to make strategic business decisions essential to my role on the ENA board. I have a keen business ability to recognize wider business and societal changes, particularly in the context of internal and external markets, contributing to my strategic thinking. I value my executive presence and professionalism and have continually demonstrated my commitment and purpose to the vision and mission of ENA. My long history with ENA, professional background, and continued self-reflection and work on my self-development demonstrate my business understanding. I make it a point to complete intentional touch bases and rounding with mentees to grow them as leaders within our association and beyond.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
No current conflict disclosed.
