From Shy to Confident: How Joining Committees Helped Me Grow My Voice
By Linda Salvini, RNC, BSN
Originally published Confident Voices for Nurses, Winter 2009
I have been in nursing for over 36 years, and I haven't always had a "confident voice." In fact, I used to be known as being quiet and reserved! Today I feel like I am a strong voice for nursing. I collaborate with other nurses concerning many professional issues, and I also serve in several leadership positions.
As I was thinking about how this all came about, I came to a surprising conclusion. I realized that joining committees played a very important role in my learning to speak up with confidence.
When I first considered joining a committee, I wondered if it would make any real difference to my organization. Many colleagues shared similar feelings: “What's the use, you attend monthly committee meetings and nothing ever gets done. I don’t see the impact on my organization -- why 'waste' my precious time, time away from my patients -- which is my high priority."
However, I gradually came to a very different feeling about all of this. I realized that my voice on any committee was a valuable one, and that sometimes it was the only voice of nursing! Simply by being present I was saying, "I care for my patients above and beyond the hands on training. I am investing myself in order to learn, to network and to improve the way we deliver care." I started to see that if my colleagues and I could listen, network, and have an active voice, then we could make informed suggestions for change, and our ideas would have more credibility. We could become a part of the change process. Otherwise, it could easily be management making all the decisions that impact our workplaces and practice, without our input.
Committees and Change
Committees do play an important role in some important changes, but most often it doesn't happen overnight. Sometimes I have found that major decisions take months. But think about it -- you don't make an important medical decision overnight: you gather the data, look at the alternatives, get second opinions. This is the kind of process that committees have as well.
More and more, nurses are becoming a part of improving things -- the change process. If this is not happening where you are, remember that it is your right to ask to be part of your committee system. Learn more about how your organization makes decisions and changes! Good health care requires this kind of involvement, but sometimes managers may need to be reminded of how you can help.
Becoming a committee member can be like taking a journey: You sit in and take notes, you gradually become knowledgeable, you gather your thoughts and ponder. Suddenly you realize: I have something important to say here! You may feel nervous about speaking up -- I sure did. I thought the other committee members might think I was "stupid" or ridicule me in some way.
But you know what I found out? Most people relish new ideas and new energy, and they love networking! You just have to come prepared, as I learned how to do. The more you consult with folks, the more you read about the topic, the more you become informed -- the better the networking experience will be.
You may find, as I did, that just having a voice in your organization's day to day functioning can be fulfilling. You are giving management another viewpoint, that they may not have had before -- or at least paid much attention to.
Sometimes, you can draw on past experiences -- how have I seen this problem solved before? For example, I brought in information flow sheets that we had used when I was at another area hospital. We have since adopted these as our own. Then again, sometimes your ideas may be shot down, as mine have been sometimes. I suggested a new medication flow sheet, and this approach had already been tried and not worked out. But don't give up if your ideas are shot down, the point is that you are contributing -- you do have ideas! And no idea is a bad idea when it is offered in a genuine way.
Leadership
How does leadership develop? I look to some of my leaders in the community, and at work. They didn't get there overnight. I started volunteering for my local nursing organization's committees, gaining strength that my voice was being heard. There were wonderful mentors along the way. They may not always think of themselves as mentors -- but in my opinion anyone who shares thoughts, ideas and takes the time to network with you can be placed in this category.
When colleagues asked me questions, if I didn't know the answer I would take the time to look it up, or ask someone else. This in itself helped develop responsibility and confidence. Soon, I was helping others more and more. Not only volunteering for committees, but eventually volunteering to be the president of my region.
Remember when you are considering whether to volunteer for a leadership position such as president, think of President Obama. He doesn't make all the decisions by himself, he has teams of people who work with him, keeping him informed and updated. It is the same with committees and leadership; there is always someone to look to for assistance and support. When you are in the early stages of gaining confidence and becoming a leader, this is so important to remember.
In our work we have to connect with many professionals, and at times you'll need to cross professional lines repeatedly to obtain the answer that you are seeking. And remember, it is part of your job -- what you have been asked to do -- to question when something just doesn't seem right to you, whether it is a medication, or a treatment, or something that you are told to do. And get to know your rights as a nurse. Refer to the ANA's Bill of Rights for Registered Nurses, and talk with other nurses who are in leadership roles.
Nursing has made great advances over the years, and our support for one another is a big part of that story. Gradually, nurses are collaborating more and more with other specialties, having a voice, having strength. Where nurses used to be looked to as "handmaidens" they are now looked to as the expert, "the go-to person." We have unique tools and a unique perspective, and the health care community needs to hear from us!
Finally, on a personal note, I would like to share one of my favorite quotes:
"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do!" -- Eleanor Roosevelt
Linda Salvini, RNC, BSN is President of the Central Region of the Iowa Nurses Association, and a member of numerous committees, both on the local and state levels. Our goals: improving patient care, and nurturing professional growth, support, and training.
Linda works as a full=time Staff Nurse, in Des Moines, IA, and has been a Mentor and Preceptor for many nurses since 1979.
