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55 THOUGHT LEADERSHIP 20 Years as Chief Nurse: Mass General's CNO on What's Next After Stepping Down By Heather Punke J eanette Ives Erikson, DNP, RN, first took a job at Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital in 1988 based on word of mouth from graduate school col- leagues — and she hasn't left since. She worked her way from a clinical care nurse to eventually become the hospi- tal's CNO and senior vice president for patient care services. "I feel blessed," she tells Becker's. "I've had what I would view as the best job in healthcare." In November, Dr. Erikson declared she would step down from her post to pursue other opportunities within MGH — includ- ing helping open two clinics and a hos- pital in Shanghai, China, and continuing research and nurse leadership develop- ment, among several other opportunities she is still "weighing," she says. Here, Dr. Erikson looks back at her more than two decades in nursing to share her biggest accomplishment and what's changed in nursing, and looks forward to what's next for her. Note: Responses have been lightly edit- ed for length and clarity. Question: What drew you into nursing originally? Jeanette Ives Erickson: I originally wanted to be a psychiatrist, but when I was trying to make a decision where to attend college, I had a wonderful neigh- bor who I highly respected who was a nurse. The neighbor provided wonder- ful guidance on what it was like to be a nurse and really changed my thinking. It's wonderful, when you're young and trying to make a lifetime decision at such an early age, to have great to have men- torship and guidance from people who care about you. Q: What did she say to change your mind? JIE: The difference is what nurses are able to do with patients; it's very dif- ferent from other health professional groups. As we know, it's the ability of the nurse to be one with the patient, no matter where the patient is — in the hospital, in an ambulatory setting or at home. Nurses interact with patients at a time when they are most vulnerable or at a time of great joy in their life. Q: What attracted you to Mass General? JIE: I went to graduate school at Boston University. In my graduate class there were many nurse leaders that worked at the MGH. They spoke highly about the environment, the support for the profes- sion of nursing. They talked a lot about the world-class healthcare being deliv- ered here. It was their positive words about this organization that drew me to apply for a job here. Q: What was it that made you stay? JIE: Again, everything that was said about this organization, the mission — the most precious part being the advancement of clinical care — and the healing environ- ment. This is an environment built upon inter-professional teamwork. I'm blessed to work in an environment where all the disciplines come together around the patient to deliver really safe, high-quality healthcare. The career opportunities here have also been wonderful. Even…after my successor is found, I'm going to stay at the MGH. I was offered the opportunity to work on several key initiatives. This is wonderful because I get to work with many of the same people I've always worked with but on a different initiative. I personally felt after being in this posi- tion for 20 years, I needed to start think- ing about what I want to do next and what other contributions I could make. We have partnered with a group of people in Shanghai, China, and we're helping to open up a world-class hospi- tal there. I've been a consultant on that project for the last five years. As we get closer to the hospital opening, my pres- ence on that project will increase. One clinic has already opened, another will open in May or June, and six months after that the hospital will open. I truly have enjoyed this work and the team of people being hired in Shanghai. It's an incredible opportunity for me to real- ly help build a nursing service with the wonderful nurses in Shanghai who are working on this effort. I'm also going to do some fundraising activity and continue nursing research on understanding the environment of care and importance of creating a safe environment of care. And I've just been asked to do some nursing leadership development. Q: If you had to pick one, what would you say your biggest career accomplishment was? JIE: We really changed the way in which become the company's sales director. He did an outstanding job for both companies and is considered a legend in the industry. What happened to Terry Mulligan isn't unusual; many people have had mentors who changed their lives by giving sound advice about their ca- reers and attitudes. And yet many more need to learn what it takes to give their all at work, really committing to their jobs. ey oen come in and do what it takes to stay employed — and that's about it. ey don't come up with new ideas, they don't go out of their way to help their colleagues and they produce lackluster results for their organizations. is kind of attitude oen leads to getting fired at some point in their careers, and when that happens people have to start all over again. Amid a middling recovery, good-paying jobs are not easy to come by. Mailing it in is not a good strategy. Effort is a byproduct of attitude. What happens at work carries over to the rest of your life. I watch people fail in their work, and see their marriages and other endeavors suffer because they won't give their all. inking positively and intensively gives birth to enthusiasm. ose who wake up and give their best effort every day are the ones who rise to the top, no matter whether they are a professional athlete, broker, salesperson or fire- fighter. Talent only takes you so far. So be the person you were meant to be. Make things happen and don't be a spectator! Get on the field of play and take on all the challenges that come your way with enthusiasm and dedication. Live as is your life de- pends on it, because in all the important ways, it does. n