The two reviews are of an audiobook/book and a website. The audiobook uses Titanic survivor reports and actions as a frame for leadership lessons. The website was developed to report on the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 Consensus Study Report. This report will have a major influence on the direction of the nursing profession over the next decade and thus is important that all nurses too are familiar with its content. I recommend both audiobook and website to you.
The Lifeboat: Navigating Unexpected Career Change and Disruption, by Maggie Craddock. Published 2020. New World Library, Novato, CA. 224 pages. Cost $5-$6 as a book or $10-$11 as an audiobook. Length 6 hours 7 minutes.
I vacillated if I should review and bring this audiobook to your attention. My initial thoughts of not to review this book were based on the fact that much of the materials and ideas presented here are available elsewhere from other authors. However, as I listened to this recorded book read by the author, I liked the metaphor she used and thought that it may prove the type of metaphor that assists you in remembering the key points she makes.
Craddock uses experiences reported by survivors of the Titanic, specifically Lifeboat #6. She begins by recounting how the too big to sink/fail or "Big Ship" mindset influenced seamen and passengers alike. Craddock illustrates throughout the book how having a "too big to sink" attitude or mindset influences actions taken or inaction.
Each chapter is framed by "lifeboat question"; the type of questions that might have been asked on the Titanic and, as the author states, definitely questions that should be asked when challenges in the workplace arise today or in Craddock's parlance, an iceberg is hit. Each question highlights what to focus on during the Lifeboat Process and how to answer that question. The chapters include real-life examples of work-related problems and how the Lifeboat Process was used to success. Craddock defines the Lifeboat Process as a shift from the "Big Ship" mindset to the "Lifeboat" mindset.
The Lifeboat mindset has three components. First is how we relate to ourselves and handle our emotions and inner challenges that can trigger what Craddock calls the "inner iceberg." If we have a Big Ship mindset that essentially is it is not my job and that others will tell us what to do, we may act in self-defeating ways. Craddock discusses how our interpersonal awareness and how we interact with other under pressure influence the outcome. Craddock's third area is working with others to leverage the diverse strengths to pull together. Craddock relates this to today's working environment and how we all have to pull together to survive if an iceberg is hit.
The book has 10 chapters. The Lifeboat Process is discussed in the first chapter and in Chapter 2, titled Big Hype High Hubris, the Titanic story is retold with a focus on Lifeboat #6. The remaining chapters ask the "Big Ship rules." An example of a Big Ship rule is to remember your role and always play your part. Other "Big Ship rules" surface throughout the book as a way of illustration of key points or issues.
Chapters 3-10 address different questions, such as Is this ship safe? Or what if I freeze in a crisis? These questions lead the reader to understand how to move away from a Big Ship mentality to how to use the Lifeboat Process. The book concludes with acknowledgments, resources, and author information.
As I said at the beginning, I was reluctant to review this book as the principles and approaches are not new; however, as I continued to listen to it, I found that the use of the Titanic as a metaphor was a good way to frame the issues and approaches, making them easier to remember. Therefore, I do recommend this book/audiobook as a worthwhile use of your time.
The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 Consensus Study Report may be familiar to you. You may have heard of the meetings held across the United States to gather input and even attended one of these meetings. The resultant report was generated by the National Academy of Medicine Committee on the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. An excellent website is available for you to learn more about the input received and the plans that were developed on the basis of this input (https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/the-future-of-nursing-2020-2030).
The website offers an excellent, readable summary of the role of nurses to advance health equity and reduce health disparities. The key topics from the report are as follows.
As the population ages, the demand for nurses will increase and nurses are called upon to act now to improve the health and well-being of the nation. From scope of practice issues to diversity and nursing education, actions are needed now to prepare for future demands.
Nurses with advanced degrees continue to experience barriers to practice to the full extent of their nursing education and training. In addition, institutional barriers restrict registered nurse and licensed practical nurse ability to practice to the full extent of their licensure. These barriers must be removed.
Nursing education must be strengthened to promote health equity, reduce health inequities, and improve the health and well-being of the population. Substantive education in community and telework allows nursing students to learn about the broad range of practice settings available to them.
Payment systems must be redesigned to give healthcare organizations the flexibility to address social needs and social determinants of health (SDoH) and advance health equity. Community and public health nurses play an important part in health equity, and these contributions must be valued. An emphasis on school nurses as frontline providers is key.
As in previous reports on nursing, nursing leadership and advocacy are reemphasized including the need for diversity and equity. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed fragmentation and gaps in healthcare. Nurses are called on to be better prepared to both respond to and plan for disasters.
As has been increasingly evident during the pandemic, the stress of being a nurse has led to many leaving nursing. It is imperative that the health and well-being of nurses must be addressed. These include systems, structures, and policies that exacerbate the day-to-day demands of nursing.
I encourage readers to explore the website to get a fuller and more nuanced understanding of the report. In addition to the summary, the report is available in its entirety. Links to focused reports on each topic are available on the right side of the website. For those of you who prefer to listen to the content, there are eight podcasts, 25-30 minutes in length, that discuss the various recommendations (https://nam.edu/the-future-of-nursing-podcast/).
I recommend this website and the consensus study report to you. As a nurse, it is an important part of your professional life to understand the direction the nursing community will be pursing over the next 8 plus years and how these recommendations came to be.
I recommend both the audiobook, The Lifeboat: Navigating Unexpected Career Change and Disruption, and the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 Consensus Study Report to you. The Lifeboat content is not new to those in leadership, but the metaphor used forms an excellent way to remember the key points. For that reason, I find it helpful and worth your time. The Future of Nursing 2020-2030 will frame the direction of the profession, educationally, clinically, and politically, for the next decade. As a member of the profession, I suggest you need to know and understand where the nursing profession will be in 10 years and why changes are needed.