Andrea Ferguson
May 2025
Andrea
Ferguson
,
DNP, RN
Intermediate Care Unit
Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center
Enola
,
PA
United States
How does this leader create an environment that is healing and supports empowered professional practice?
Andi is always very receptive to the concerns of her staff. She actively listens and creates a safe space for employees about work and non-work related concerns. She ensures a work life balance for staff.
Under Andi’s guidance, the Unit Council plays a pivotal role in identifying areas for growth, evaluating current processes, and incorporating best practices into the team's daily operations. This collaborative approach has led to measurable improvements in efficiency, communication, and overall job satisfaction.
In addition to Unit Council activity, she supports and facilitates her team members to participate in hospital councils such as PNC and Nursing Satisfaction workgroups. In addition, Andi’s commitment to staff development is evident through the active participation of several team members in the career ladder program. By encouraging her team to pursue professional growth opportunities, she ensures that they have the resources and support to advance in their careers, creating a culture of mentorship and advancement within the team.”
How does this leader influence quality patient care?
Andi readily provides staff quality control measures that directly impact the unit and patients. She provides metrics of these measures and does weekly updates to show progress. Over the past three years, Andi has demonstrated unwavering dedication to cultivating a highly skilled and engaged team. Through her diligent efforts in recruiting, hiring, and training, she has successfully built a team that not only meets but exceeds expectations. Her leadership has fostered an environment of continuous improvement, where each team member feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.
This approach has yielded exceptional results, as reflected in the team's performance. Notably, under her guidance, the unit has maintained a remarkable track record of 95 days without a fall, improving the falls rate by 3%. Since the unit's opening, there have been no incidents of CLABSI, showcasing the team’s commitment to patient safety and infection control. Additionally, this coming May will mark a full year without a CAUTI, a significant achievement that speaks to the effectiveness of their infection prevention protocols. Patient satisfaction scores also reflect the high standard of care provided by Andi's team, consistently exceeding 80%. These accomplishments are a testament to her ability to lead with vision, foster teamwork, and continuously improve both patient care and team performance.
How does this leader demonstrate positive recruitment and retention strategies/outcomes?
Andi makes sure staff is involved with new hires. She allows for a shadow shift so staff can meet potential new employees. This allows staff a chance to see if they will be a good fit amongst the team. She also asks for feedback and has the staff involved with retention ideas. Andi’s staff turnover has been largely positive, reflecting the growth and opportunities available within her team and the larger organization. The openings on her unit are often a result of staff members pursuing career advancements and seeking opportunities to expand their skills by moving into new roles within Penn State Health. These transitions speak to the success of Andi’s leadership in fostering professional development and creating pathways for career growth.
In cases where staff have left the organization, the reasons have been primarily personal, such as moves outside the area, rather than dissatisfaction with their roles. When positions do become available, she has consistently attracted highly talented and motivated team members. This is a direct result of the positive reputation she has built as a transformational leader who genuinely cares about her team’s well-being and success. Her commitment to staff development, recognition, and creating a supportive work environment makes her unit a desirable place to work.
How does this leader demonstrate effective utilization of resources?
Andi is supportive of her staff. She trusts us to use our resources to ensure the best patient care for our population.” “Andi consistently demonstrates effective utilization of resources on a daily basis, ensuring that both patient care quality and fiscal responsibility are balanced. She plays an active role in maintaining appropriate staffing levels to deliver high-quality care, while also being mindful of budget constraints.
Through her proactive leadership, she has successfully operated below the budgeted hours per patient day, reflecting her efficiency in managing resources without compromising care. In addition, she has worked closely with her nursing staff to ensure they fully understand the framework that drives staffing decisions. This collaborative approach has empowered her team to be more engaged and aware of the factors influencing staffing levels.
As a result of her leadership, her charge nurses are not only able to proactively adjust staffing as needed but also communicate effectively with house supervisors about the unit’s census and staffing requirements. This level of coordination ensures that staffing needs are met promptly, contributing to both operational efficiency and the delivery of exceptional patient care.
Andi is always very receptive to the concerns of her staff. She actively listens and creates a safe space for employees about work and non-work related concerns. She ensures a work life balance for staff.
Under Andi’s guidance, the Unit Council plays a pivotal role in identifying areas for growth, evaluating current processes, and incorporating best practices into the team's daily operations. This collaborative approach has led to measurable improvements in efficiency, communication, and overall job satisfaction.
In addition to Unit Council activity, she supports and facilitates her team members to participate in hospital councils such as PNC and Nursing Satisfaction workgroups. In addition, Andi’s commitment to staff development is evident through the active participation of several team members in the career ladder program. By encouraging her team to pursue professional growth opportunities, she ensures that they have the resources and support to advance in their careers, creating a culture of mentorship and advancement within the team.”
How does this leader influence quality patient care?
Andi readily provides staff quality control measures that directly impact the unit and patients. She provides metrics of these measures and does weekly updates to show progress. Over the past three years, Andi has demonstrated unwavering dedication to cultivating a highly skilled and engaged team. Through her diligent efforts in recruiting, hiring, and training, she has successfully built a team that not only meets but exceeds expectations. Her leadership has fostered an environment of continuous improvement, where each team member feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.
This approach has yielded exceptional results, as reflected in the team's performance. Notably, under her guidance, the unit has maintained a remarkable track record of 95 days without a fall, improving the falls rate by 3%. Since the unit's opening, there have been no incidents of CLABSI, showcasing the team’s commitment to patient safety and infection control. Additionally, this coming May will mark a full year without a CAUTI, a significant achievement that speaks to the effectiveness of their infection prevention protocols. Patient satisfaction scores also reflect the high standard of care provided by Andi's team, consistently exceeding 80%. These accomplishments are a testament to her ability to lead with vision, foster teamwork, and continuously improve both patient care and team performance.
How does this leader demonstrate positive recruitment and retention strategies/outcomes?
Andi makes sure staff is involved with new hires. She allows for a shadow shift so staff can meet potential new employees. This allows staff a chance to see if they will be a good fit amongst the team. She also asks for feedback and has the staff involved with retention ideas. Andi’s staff turnover has been largely positive, reflecting the growth and opportunities available within her team and the larger organization. The openings on her unit are often a result of staff members pursuing career advancements and seeking opportunities to expand their skills by moving into new roles within Penn State Health. These transitions speak to the success of Andi’s leadership in fostering professional development and creating pathways for career growth.
In cases where staff have left the organization, the reasons have been primarily personal, such as moves outside the area, rather than dissatisfaction with their roles. When positions do become available, she has consistently attracted highly talented and motivated team members. This is a direct result of the positive reputation she has built as a transformational leader who genuinely cares about her team’s well-being and success. Her commitment to staff development, recognition, and creating a supportive work environment makes her unit a desirable place to work.
How does this leader demonstrate effective utilization of resources?
Andi is supportive of her staff. She trusts us to use our resources to ensure the best patient care for our population.” “Andi consistently demonstrates effective utilization of resources on a daily basis, ensuring that both patient care quality and fiscal responsibility are balanced. She plays an active role in maintaining appropriate staffing levels to deliver high-quality care, while also being mindful of budget constraints.
Through her proactive leadership, she has successfully operated below the budgeted hours per patient day, reflecting her efficiency in managing resources without compromising care. In addition, she has worked closely with her nursing staff to ensure they fully understand the framework that drives staffing decisions. This collaborative approach has empowered her team to be more engaged and aware of the factors influencing staffing levels.
As a result of her leadership, her charge nurses are not only able to proactively adjust staffing as needed but also communicate effectively with house supervisors about the unit’s census and staffing requirements. This level of coordination ensures that staffing needs are met promptly, contributing to both operational efficiency and the delivery of exceptional patient care.