COVID-19 has uprooted life for many, but nowhere more apparent than the nursing field, as professionals have worked tirelessly on the frontlines. Chief nursing officers have been leading their staff through mostly unchartered territory in battling the pandemic. In times of crisis is demand taking swift action, embracing innovation, training staff for new roles, and caring for the emotional and physical needs of the team.

A group of seasoned CNOs shared their experiences, decisions and lessons learned in managing through COVID. Three main insights surfaced as to navigating through the crisis and what the future holds for nursing and care delivery.

Fast Takeaways:

• Leading through a crisis demands high visibility, boldness, quick thinking, engaging others, and ingenuity. 
• Achieving staff engagement requires fortifying your team.
• The crisis caused an upheaval in business as usual, but changes that remain will improve the practice of nursing and care delivery.