Centennial College Bridging Nursing: Lillian Wald Leadership Essay

This essay examines the life and contributions of Lillian Wald, a significant figure in nursing leadership. It explores her role as the founder of the Henry Street Settlement and the Visiting Nurse Service, highlighting her exceptional administrative abilities, profound respect for humanity, and skill in publicizing and fundraising. The essay emphasizes Wald's advocacy for housing reform, public health, and the rights of children and immigrants, positioning her as a prominent leader in national politics. It draws parallels between Wald's leadership qualities and the author's personal journey, particularly in relation to immigration and the pursuit of nursing education. The essay also discusses the importance of soft skills in nursing and concludes by recognizing Wald's lasting impact on the nursing profession and healthcare leadership, emphasizing the importance of effective nursing as a crucial part of healthcare. The essay references several sources to support its claims.

NURSING LEADER LILIAN WALD 1
NURSING LEADER: LILLIAN WALD
CENTENNIAL COLLEGE
BRIDGING TO UNIVERSITY NURSING

NURSING LEADER: LILLIAN WALD 2
Nursing Leader
Improvement can be achieved after the attitudes of the nurses are changed (Lillian,
Wald). Tappen quotes, "Leadership is considered as an informally achieved position which may
be expected by different individuals at a particular time." The researcher also recommended that
administration is defined as an assigned character, associated with leadership (Tappen, 2010). To
be an effective nursing leader within the nursing profession, it is recommended that the nurse
professionals adapt acceptable nursing information, mindfulness, knowledge and the capability
to connect effectively and clearly. They must have the ability to empower, organize and
passionate regarding the leadership activities (Tappen, 1995). According to my research and
interest Lillian Wald, is one of the greatest nursing leader.
Wald's earliest journalist, biographer and friend, named, R. L. Duffus, quoted that, “she
had too much individuality to be willing to lose herself as a cog in an established institution”.
Intuitively, she wanted to change things for better. Being a nurse, she wanted to deliver standard
health care service to the inhabitants of New York's Lower East Side tenements. Her
performance as the creator of Henry Street Settlement as well as the Visiting Nurse Facility
confirmed her exceptional administrative aptitudes, profound respect for humankind and ability
at publicizing and fundraising. Protecting the requirement of the housing reform, public health
nurturing, world peace, suffrage, rights of children, girls and immigrants, Wald was considered
as the prestigious leader within the national politics and town. Wald had an amazing strong-
minded effort that would assist her to relate the health of nation associated with the children and
made her the model of kindness, veracity and achievement throughout her life. Though Wald had
attained international credit, her determinations were always determined in the confidence that
the complete world was merely a prolonged form of culturally dissimilar neighborhood.

NURSING LEADER: LILLIAN WALD 3
Another crucial aspect to recall about Wald associated with her colleagues were there
involvement among the health movement that recognized the requirement for the formation of
different professional standards devoting to the public well-being nurses. Like additional
professional administrations, the National Organization of Public Health Nurses (NOPHN) was
premeditated to direct the professional standards, distribute methods and defend the statuses of
their associates. Hence, Wald was designated as the first president of the organization.
Additionally, Wald expected to increase health care approachability through associations with
governmental institutions and the private corporations. In 1909, Metropolitan Life and Henry
Street became associates in the determination to deliver high quality of health care to their
employed workforces. The efforts of Wald inspired several other insurance corporations to
pledge similar projects.
I can totally relate and compare myself with such great nursing lead as, leadership is used
for explaining the concept of respecting and believing human dignity. Leadership means
inspiring, listening and motivating to be attentive and continuing a worthwhile culture. This also
means complete management that continuously focuses on superiority. In nursing, my career is
slightly unusual as my particular journey within the nursing leadership initiated when I residing
in India and was completing my Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Although, it was not initiated in
the healthcare field, but was started in the tutoring and coaching students in the Mother Teresa
Foundation. Prior starting my occupation of being a nurse, I was connected with The Mother
Teresa Foundation that is considered as a non - government improvement organization within
India functioning for the unloved, unwanted and uncared people of the society. Although I was
encouraged and motivated to initiate my immigration procedure after interpreting that the
promoter for migrants and their human rights was Wald. Once the governor of New York,

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Charles Evans Hughes, had stayed in the Settlement during 1908, Wald had communicated with
him regarding the mistreatment experienced by the immigrant nationals. In rejoinder, Hughes
selected her as the commission to examine the “industrial opportunities, condition and welfare
within the New York.” Wald and her other command members journeyed 1286 miles within
fourteen days in order to examine the working circumstances among the immigrant employees at
canal and highway project campgrounds. Their complete report that entitled for the
establishment of enhanced working and living standards for their employees and the family
members, which resulted in the development of State Bureau of Industries within New York.
I was very motivated by the Lillian Wald during my procedure of immigration, as I had
experienced deficiency of knowledge, poverty and reduced resources for the novel community
that I was involved in. However I was staying in my friend’s company, I encountered a nursing
book. I picked up the book and researcher about it and glanced through the warm contemplation
of Lillian Wald which glared back to me after the first page. My inquisitiveness made me recite
the complete text-book after which I was extremely impressed by the nurse. Though the period
has changed, this extraordinary woman established the basis for existing home care nursing and
community. A quotation reciting Wald’s opinions after staying in a poverty-afflicted family
associated with limited resources and incomes seem appropriate today. Her opinions from past
100 years were similar with my opinion. I understood that it does not matter how many
curriculums are accessible, there will still be unreciprocated requirements; but by significant
acting and telling, I may create a change. Lillian Wald unpretentious approach created valuable
persistent modifications in me after which I repossessed the resources of community and
initiated my study for the Registered Practical Nursing Program in George Brown College. After
receiving my degree, it was easy for me to work in Public health Flu clinic in H1N1 outbreak.

NURSING LEADER: LILLIAN WALD 5
Presently I am working in my community by Bridge point rehab clinic and other than that I am
also completing my Bridging in the direction of University nursing from the Centennial College
to obtain superior freedom and reach optimistic consequence.
Hence, I strongly trust that Wald has molded the image and role of nursing professional
and substantiated herself as an extraordinary nursing leader. Consequently, the significance of
the leadership is extensively recognized as the crucial part of being an effective nursing and
healthcare leadership. Hence, nurses are considered as the single principal healthcare discipline
(Swearingen, 2009).

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References
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Feld, Marjorie N. "Lillian D. Wald." Jewish Women
A Comprehensive Historical Encyclopedia. 20 March 2009. Jewish Women's Archive.
Retrieved from<https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/wald-lillian-d>.
Hendricks, S. (2017). 5 soft skills every nurse needs to deliver the best patience experience.
Retrieved from https://blog.amplionalert.com/5-soft-skills-every-nurse-needs-to-deliver-
the-best-patient- experience
Jewish Women's Archive. "Lillian D. Wald."
<https://jwa.org/people/wald-lillian>.
Lillian Wald. (n.d.).AZQuotes.com
https://www.azquotes.com/author/20782-Lillian_Ward
Ostendorf, W. R. (2014). Health assessment.
In A. G. Perry, P. A. Potter, & W. R. Ostendorf (Eds.), Clinical nursing skills &
techniques (8th ed., pp. 154-161). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier
Ray, J.D. and Overman, A.S. (2014). Hard facts about soft skills.
American Journal of Nursing, 114(2), 64-69). Doi: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000443784.75162.b7

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Zierler, Wendy Fostering soft skills is a must for nurse leaders (2015).
https://www.americannursetoday.com/fostering-soft-skills-must-nurse-leaders/