'Stopping the Staffing Bleed' Presentation Available Online or In-Person

According to the American Nurses Association, nursing leadership is not necessarily defined by a position of authority but by the leader’s actions, in which they work to inspire and influence others to achieve the best outcomes and healthy work cultures that allow individuals to realize their maximum potential. These formal and informal nursing leaders draw upon their experience and apply critical thinking skills to manage teams, mentor individuals, and promote the growth and development of the current and future nursing workforce. This descriptor embodies the goals and priorities of the West Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership (WTONL).

As part of the Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership (TONL), WTONL is a group of professional nursing leaders dedicated to providing excellent service to current and emerging nurse leaders in the West Texas region. The WTONL region is part of Districts 6 and 8 of TONL and extends from the counties north of Abilene through the Concho Valley region (including San Angelo).

WTONL’s mission is to promote and represent nurse leaders (both incumbent and emerging) in the West Texas region to improve healthcare collaboration, innovation, and education. We achieve this mission by:

• Providing nurse executives, managers, and leaders with a collaborative meeting environment for the exchange of ideas and information dissemination related to the practice of nursing leadership.
• Providing a platform for nurse executives, managers, and leaders to discuss and exchange ideas on issues within healthcare and nursing practice.
• Identifying and defining healthcare issues that affect nurse executives, managers, and leaders, allowing these individuals input on position statements on these issues.
• Promoting educational programs and activities to strengthen nurse executives, managers, and leader practice.
• Providing consultation for nursing educational programs.
• Providing a venue for influencing legislative and public policy pertaining to nursing and healthcare issues.

This year, WTONL was represented at the national AONL meeting in April 2024. Dr. Rebecca Hartley, DNP, RN, CPAN, NEA-BC presented a podium presentation called “Stopping the Staffing Bleed: Strategies to Retain and Bring Home Our Staff.” This presentation provided nursing leaders tactics to engage our current workforce and recommendations on how to develop healthier work cultures through collaborating with staff to assess individual bullying tendencies and creating a culture of respect, gratitude, or kindness. WTONL is pleased to offer this session virtually to the TONL membership on June 7. Attendees may also attend in person at Shannon Medical Center (120 East Harris Avenue, San Angelo Texas) at the Legacy 1 Conference Room. A complimentary lunch will be provided to in-person attendees. Please contact Rebecca Hartley at rebeccahartley@shannonhealth.org or 325-747-8846 for registration and the link to the session. Please register by the end of the business day on June 5