UF College of Nursing alumna Rose Rivers strives to answer the question: who will care for the caregivers?
As the Chief Nursing Officer of the Shands Healthcare System, Rivers, PhD, RN, CNAA, BC, has found the perfect position to be a nursing leader and administrator while striving for an environment that fosters care and compassion for her nursing staff. With her certifications as a Crucial Conversations Trainer and Compassion Fatigue Specialist, Dr. Rivers is able to offer her nursing staff a less stressful atmosphere that allows them to better care for their patients.
The Crucial Conversations seminars are designed to assist nurses in holding those difficult conversations—when emotions are strong, opinions vary and stakes are high. The ultimate goal is better patient care and enhanced relationships.
“I like to implement seminars and other avenues that decrease stress,” Dr. Rivers said. “I know how important it is for my nurses to feel refreshed in order to productively and successfully care for their patients.”
In her role as a health care executive, a “typical day” is unknown to Dr. Rivers. She is responsible for providing leadership and oversight for nursing practice.
Dr. Rivers received her BSN, MSN and PhD from the UF College of Nursing. Dr. Rivers has certainly influenced nursing care at Shands, an organization which received the ANCC Magnet Hospital Designation for Nursing Service Excellence. She was named a 2001 National Black Nurses Association Administrative Nurse of the Year and given a 1998 Robert Wood Johnson 3-Year Nurse Executive Leadership Development Fellowship.
“The education I received from UF College of Nursing assisted in my preparation to function in advanced practice roles e.g., clinical nurse specialist, divisional educator, professional practice coordinator and nurse researcher,” Dr. Rivers said. “The experience gained from the multiple positions I have held with Shands at UF laid a solid foundation for success in my current position as vice president and chief nursing officer.”