Evolving into a better woman, mom, wife, nurse, and all the additional commas forces me to reflect on the values I currently have and hope to align with. Values such as accountability, integrity, respect, empathy, and self-motivation are qualities I am proud to reflect on and always strive to strengthen. Conscious bias, or explicit bias, is a feeling made well-known. Unconscious bias, or implicit bias, is a bias that is not overtly expressed but is known through attitudes, gestures, and affect (National Center for Cultural Competence, n.d.). An example of an explicit bias I have is stating a favorite co-worker/friend of mine affects my productivity and mood in a positive way so I must work near them. An example of an implicit bias I recently caught was, what’s called affinity bias, or gravitating toward those who look like you. I gravitate toward asking a black PA questions regarding my cardio-thoracic surgery patients because I feel comfortable with him and have a strong rapport with him, though this is technically considered a bias.
A great strength of mine is my ability to resolve conflict. Conflict is an inevitable, tolling part of life and relationships, and often, what many struggle with most. Communication breaks down, our brain goes into fight or flight mode, and our ability to reason sharply decreases. Katie Shonk (2021), says, “conflict resolution can be defined as the informal or formal process that two or more parties use to find a peaceful solution to their dispute.”. Whether between a patient and myself, a patient and another staff member, two staff members, a patient and their family member, or family members with each other, I believe I am skilled at finding a way to resolution. A weakness of mine is often low-stress tolerance. Becoming a new mother, wife, and just being an empathetic and over-achieving nurse usually sets my stress-tolerance quite low.
My leadership style is transitional and usually adapts based on the audience though it is always confident, strong, and reliable. I hope relationship dynamics improve with my leadership style and others find comfortability in it, as well as a refuge to safely resolve conflict.
National Center for Cultural Competence. (n.d.) Defining Bias. Georgetown University. NCCC :: defining (georgetown.edu)
Shonk, K. (2021). What is conflict resolution and how does it work? Harvard Law School. What is Conflict Resolution, and How Does It Work? – PON – Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School