As I talked with leaders about their results from the pulse survey conducted at UC Davis Health last fall, I noticed a pattern. When I spoke with leaders from the Patient Care Services (PCS) units, I consistently heard some form of “We’re encouraged to take care of ourselves first, our team second, so the patient gets the best care.” I was intrigued and had to know more! I had an inspiring hour-long conversation with Toby Marsh, R.N., M.S.A., M.S.N., F.A.C.H.E., N.E.A.-BC, Chief  Patient Care Services Officer.

Jasmine (not her real name)  had been the director of a unit on the campus of a nonprofit university for less than two years.  Over the last year, two department  managers retired when Covid-19 expanded, and had not been replaced. Work had been redistributed “temporarily”  six months ago while she delayed in recruiting for replacements because, “it is so hard to hire virtually when we usually operate face-to-face.”