2023 To be a change agent means to simply facilitate change The change agent is

To be a change agent means to simply facilitate change.  The change agent is responsible for translating changes into plans and executing them while also motivating and encouraging others to achieve the desire results (Nurse Leader, 2017).  As a leader, I have been a change agent on many occasions.  I am the responsible person for training and enforcing policy changes in the clinic.  Change does not always (if ever) go over smoothly with my team.  One scenario in specific stands out to me.  Recent changes in leadership at our facility have created some chaos at the clinic.  Annual clinical competencies have always been completed and reported in the same manner.  When the new leadership came, the entire evaluation and competency program was revamped.  Although this was for the better, the staff had a difficult time adjusting.  After being given my guidelines, I was responsible for creating a plan to get all of the skills organized.  This included making a schedule to have everyone observed and signed off, educating staff where needed, and reporting the results to my leadership.  I motivated the team with words of encouragement.  “How fortunate are we to work for a facility that not only keeps us accountable, but also aids in our continued education to help us be as informed as possible.  We are able to provide better care to our patients because we are better educated.” 

Another nurse at my facility (also a member of leadership) is often times a change agent as well.  She has a way of wording things to sound pleasant when they may not be.  In this way, she encourages and motivates our team to take active roles in changes around the clinic that they may otherwise shy away from.  The staff are more engaged with changes when they feel involved.  This makes a smoother transition for everyone.