Why do you seek a position on the ENA Board of Directors?
I seek a position on the ENA Board of Directors because of my deep passion for advancing emergency nursing and advocating for nurses' needs. With firsthand experience in emergency departments, I understand the challenges faced by emergency nurses and I am committed to driving positive change in the profession.
On the Board, I aim to contribute to strategic decision-making, policy development, and initiatives that directly impact emergency nurses and patient care. Collaborating with fellow Board members, ENA staff, and stakeholders, I will work to address key issues, promote best practices, and ensure nurses have the support they need.
Furthermore, serving on the Board allows me to give back to the ENA community, which has been instrumental in my professional growth. I am grateful for the opportunities and support I've received, and I am eager to contribute to the organization's mission of advocating for excellence in emergency nursing practice.
In summary, my desire to serve on the ENA Board stems from my commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of emergency nurses and patients. I believe this role offers a significant opportunity to achieve that goal.
How does your academic, professional background and experience within ENA make you a qualified Board candidate?
My academic and professional experience, alongside my extensive experience with the ENA, uniquely qualify me as a candidate for the board. With a master’s degree in nursing and a certificate in executive healthcare leadership, coupled with extensive experience in emergency departments, I bring a strong foundation of clinical knowledge and expertise to the table. This first-hand experience provides invaluable insights into the challenges and needs of emergency nurses, essential for effective decision-making at the board level.
In addition to my clinical expertise, my active involvement within the ENA demonstrates my commitment to advancing the profession of emergency nurses. Through participation at the state level, state and national committees, and national initiatives, I have contributed to shaping policies, developing educational resources, and promoting best practices in emergency nursing.
My leadership style prioritizes collaboration, innovation, and patient care excellence. Strong interpersonal and communication skills enable me to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, while strategic planning and decision-making abilities acquired through leadership roles equip me to guide ENA's direction.
Overall, my academic achievements, professional experience, and active engagement within the ENA make me a highly qualified candidate capable of contributing effectively to ENA’s mission of advancing emergency nursing practice and supporting ENA members.
Outline the specific skills you bring, or contributions you hope to make to the ENA Board of Directors.
As an accomplished leader in emergency nursing, I offer a wealth of clinical expertise and a proven history of leadership within the ENA. I am dedicated to guiding the organization with a steadfast commitment to integrity, collaboration, diversity and inclusion, and excellence. My background enables me to provide effective governance, strategic direction, and advocacy for emergency nurses at all levels.
Drawing on my leadership experience, I aim to inspire others, cultivate teamwork, and drive meaningful change within the organization. I am committed to advancing innovation and adapting to the dynamic healthcare landscape while fostering a supportive environment that empowers ENA members and promotes excellence in emergency nursing practice. By championing evidence-based practices and prioritizing continuous professional development, I strive to elevate the standards of emergency nursing care and ensure the best possible patient outcomes.
Furthermore, I am passionate about mentoring emerging leaders. Throughout my own leadership journey, I have been fortunate to work alongside many invaluable mentors. However, I recognize that mentorship is often under appreciated, and I believe that having a mentor early in one’s leadership career could have better equipped me to navigate the challenging conversations and experience I’ve encountered in leadership roles.
Provide a narrative that exemplifies how you demonstrate the Board competencies.
As the Senior Director of Emergency Nursing, I played a key role in an initiative aimed at improving hospital patient flow and reducing length of stay. With the hospital operating at capacity and the ED experiencing high patient volumes, the strain on staff was evident- contributing to burnout and a decline in patient satisfaction. Addressing these challenges required strategic thinking, collaboration, and decisive leadership.
In partnership with our executive team, we engaged key stakeholders including nursing, care management, physicians, and hospital administration. A daily multidisciplinary meeting, led by the CMO, was implemented to review the prior 24 hours of patient flow and proactively plan for the next 24 hours.
These meetings created a consistent forum for communication, issue resolution, and shared accountability.
In addition, hospital leadership began participating in progressive care rounds to align expectations, standardize processes, and reinforce accountability across all departments.
These efforts resulted in a decrease in hospital length of stay and a significant reduction in ED boarding. This improvement led to shorter EMS wait times, fewer patients leaving without being seen, and higher patient satisfaction. Most importantly, this initiative fostered a culture of collaboration and strengthened interdepartmental relationships, laying the foundation for sustained operational excellence.
To reach Leslie, contact her at leslie.breuer@yahoo.com.