In my 27 years as a nurse, I have been blessed with many opportunities to lead. I have been blessed that so many people along the way recognized those leadership traits that I had, and they always encouraged me to take those opportunities to grow as a leader. I want to be honest that they all saw something in me that I had not yet discovered in myself. As a matter of fact, my first leadership opportunity at Baystate Franklin in Greenfield, Massachusetts, I did not feel I lived up to my full potential. I took that opportunity because I felt I had something to prove. I needed to work harder and longer than anyone else to show I belonged. I was so focused on proving I belonged that I lost sight of something important, my health, my wellbeing and the teams I was responsible for leading.
I did have successes at Franklin but because I did not take care of myself the successes were overshadowed by my numerous emergency room visits and hospital stays. I push myself beyond my limits and almost lost my family, my job, and most importantly myself. When I made the decision to step down from my leadership position I was lost. I felt like a failure. I felt like I let all those who believed in my down. It was not until I was introduced to Donna Hicks’ PhD Dignity Model and the Ten Essentials of Dignity that I realized I did not fail at my job but that I did not honor my own dignity. I was focused on trying to prove that I belonged. I was focused on getting acceptance. I failed to connect to my own dignity because I did not take care of myself.
When I was able to begin the journey to take care of myself everything changed for me. It opened my eyes to what was most important. We must honor our own dignity in order to connect to the dignity of others and to connect to whatever that higher power is that drives us. I am writing this today because a good friend and colleague is going through what I did. She reminded me that the most important message that I can give to all those who read this post take care of yourself. Whatever that is for you it is important that you do it. When we can rejuvenate it opens a world of opportunities for us. You cannot help others when you neglect yourself.
I say to my good friend and all those who work in healthcare honor your dignity by taking care of the most important person, “You.”
“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.”
Brené Brown
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 