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This is the tenth in a series of profiles of leaders who are part of the

Dan Lose, DNP, RN, CNML is a nurse manager and leader at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, focusing on teamwork, culture, and building healthy work environments to allow nurses to practice to the full extent of their training and education to achieve high-quality patient outcomes. As one of 20 nurses named as a Breakthrough Leader in Nursing by the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, an initiative of AARP Foundation, AARP, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, he has served on the Iowa Action Coalition’s nurse residency taskforce since its inception in 2012. Dan is a member of the American Assembly for Men in Nursing, the American Nurses Association, and American Organization of Nurse Executives. Dan is part of the Campaign Outreach Advocates for a Culture of Health program.

Why did you decide to become a nurse?    

I grew up in Rochester, Minnesota—the home of Mayo Clinic—so health care was a major aspect of our community. My dad is a dentist so I spent a lot of time with him at his office helping patients. Seeing how he treated people who needed help greatly influenced my ability to be compassionate and empathetic.

My plan was to become a dentist when I enrolled at The University of Iowa, but after volunteering in the hospital and seeing the role of nurses in the health care system, I shifted my focus. I met with quite a few nurses—both men and women—and asked them about their experiences in the profession. What I loved is that they all recognized the value of their work and were able to balance their job with their home/family life.

Can you describe your philosophical evolution from making that decision to where you are today?

My focus has shifted from finding a professional career that provides me with value and satisfaction to finding ways to grow the nursing profession to better serve our patients and the health care delivery system. Throughout my undergraduate nursing education, it became clear to me that our health care delivery system was set to undergo major changes. Since nurses cared for people everywhere—hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, health centers, etc.—they were well-positioned to be driving forces of change and improvement. As a nurse, I believe I have the perspective and knowledge of the patient experience that is needed at the decision-making table for changes that influence health care delivery.

Of all that you have accomplished, what are you most proud of?

I am most proud of all the amazing care that nurses under my leadership provide each and every day. My goal is to create and maintain a work environment that supports safe, high-quality patient care. I love receiving positive feedback from patients and/or family members about the skill and empathy of our nurses. When our nursing staff members have the resources to help patients on their journey to health and wellness, I feel I am successful in my role.

If you could change the profession in any one way, what would you change and why?

I believe that having young men open to the idea of becoming a nurse would greatly benefit the profession, and I would encourage men to strongly consider nursing as a profession, especially young men in high school or early in college.

Nurses are valued health professionals who work in all settings throughout the world.  The nursing profession has been wonderful for me; it has provided the opportunity to serve others, work with large health care teams, and utilize data to drive decision-making.

What is the most important action that nurses can take to lead the way to improve health and health care in America?

Nurses need to have the confidence that their voice matters.

Getting involved in their state nurses’ association and specialty organizations provides a vehicle for nurses to network and influence public policy. The Nurses on Boards Coalition is a great way for nurses to learn more about serving on local, state, and national governing boards!

What role do you see for yourself in building a healthier America?

I aim to continue being an advocate for health and wellness and promoting the nurse’s role and ability to help patients. The knowledge and skills that I gained through my Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Systems have aided my ability to make changes at both the local and national levels. I use every opportunity I can to educate those around me on the role and value nurses bring to building a healthier America.

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Problem Statement: Public health systems, like many other systems, function in silos. With dwindling resources and increased demands to address public health concerns, it is important now more than ever to collaborate on addressing issues and improve coordination of these services– leveraging national, regional, state, and local infrastructures. The Midwestern Public Health Training Center (MPHTC) and two RWJF PHN Leaders coordinated an inaugural Region VII summit on diabetes, a condition that has reached epidemic proportions and disproportionately affects minority populations.

Approach: Partnering with the Region VII Midwestern Public Health Training Center, two surveys were developed to assess diabetes prevention and control needs in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas. The surveys identified current gaps and barriers in offering diabetes prevention program (DPP) services and diabetes self-management education (DSME) services for patients within the health care setting.  In addition, the surveys identified gaps and barriers within current or potential diabetes prevention providers and generated a better understanding of the existing DPP infrastructure within each of the states. Information gained from the surveys framed discussion at the Region VII Diabetes Summit where health care and public health professionals were invited to address diabetes prevention and control efforts in their respective states.

Products/Outcome: Planning teams from multidisciplinary agencies formed within the four states. Representation included professionals from the MPHTC, state and local public health, American Diabetes Association, Y.M.C.A, the Association of Public Health Nurses, nonprofit healthcare organizations and academic staff from the University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska. Data obtained through this project has been instrumental in formulating continued strategies in addressing diabetes prevention and control within the region, states, and locally.

Implications: Diabetes rates in the United States are approaching epidemic proportions. It is estimated that more than 100 million people living in the US are living with diabetes or prediabetes. The increasing financial, physical, emotional and social impact trend this disease has taken is unsustainable. Continued synergy amongst multidisciplinary health care teams such as the ones formed through this project is vital for addressing future diabetes control and prevention efforts.

The post Diabetes Prevention and Control in the Midwest 2016 appeared first on Campaign for Action.

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• Distribution of population by race/ethnicity
• Percentage of population living in rural versus urban areas
• Distribution of population by federal poverty level
• Areas in which there is a shortage of primary health professionals

These statistics can guide your Action Coalition’s work in shaping a nursing workforce to better meet local needs and overcoming health disparities in your state. As you integrate other Culture of Health aspects into your work, consider how demographics play a role in health equity and fostering cross-sector collaboration.

The post Demographic and Workforce Facts appeared first on Campaign for Action.

Space is limited, Email or call Katie Jones, katie.jones@idph.iowa.gov or 515.725.2839, by May 19.

Learn more about this great opportunity.

The American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) is an Iowa Board of Nursing approved provider, #366. AADE will award 12.0 contact hours or 1.2 CEUs (1 contact hour = 50 minutes, or 0.1CEUs ) for completion of this program.  The CE certificate must be retained by the licensee for a period of four years.”

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• Create presentations and Q&A document targeted toward boards of directors of healthcare organizations
• Develop tool kit for changing facility by-laws
• Provide editorials for local newspapers

The task force is working toward increasing ARNP representation on practice committees in healthcare organizations.  The tool kit devoped by the task force provides a guideline for making changes to clinical staff bylaws to remove barriers to practice for ARNPs.

The presentation and Q&A document are designed to address the lack of knowledge about the capabilities of nurse practitioners by physicians, registered nurses and the general public.
Attachments:
PowerPoint Presentation: Institute of Medicine Advanced Practice Task Force of Iowa

What is an ARNP flier

Guidelines for Bylaw Revisions

What is an ARNP

ARNP Paradigm  Chart

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