Kaleb M Schlessman
December 2024
Kaleb M
Schlessman
,
BSN, RN
ICU
Freeman Health System
Joplin
,
MO
United States
Our staff knows that Kaleb is here to do the job of a director, but with kindness, not fear. He listens and he cares. Don't get me wrong. He does what is needed to serve our units with his strengths as a leader.
Kaleb is the perfect example of how a nurse leader should be. He is always encouraging his employees to grow and do what is best for them and their families, and offer help when it is needed. He is no longer my primary manager, but encouraged me every step of the way while I was full-time in the department and even helped me when I needed to find a different primary position that was M-F 8-5 to work better for my family. Having him as a boss made it that much more difficult to leave. Kaleb doesn't get nearly enough credit for being the fantastic leader that he is.
***
Kaleb exemplifies leadership on a daily basis. He is present to help staff, hands-on in emergency situations as well as nonemergency situations. He is available frequently, coming in during night shift, or staying into night shift to be present for the whole team. He provides immediate feedback and assistance when needed. He communicates weekly and as needed for upcoming changes and for instituting new policy changes. He supports our staff emotionally because we are a work family. With this many staff members, life circumstances can be very difficult. Kaleb assesses the needs of staff and supports us through those life changes, and helps with work-life balance. He has changed the morale of our staff, who in the past or previous jobs may have been concerned when a director approached. I've heard new employees verbalize that when their prior directors came out of their office, there was a problem. Our staff knows that Kaleb is here to do the job of a director, but with kindness, not fear. He listens and he cares. Don't get me wrong. He does what is needed to serve our units with his strengths as a leader. We appreciate how he walks and demonstrates what a leader should be. I've personally never had a better leader.
***
Kaleb is one of the best people to work for. He always checks in with his employees to make sure we are doing okay. I had a situation arise this past year, and Kaleb called a case review to address the issues that arose during this situation. He advocated for me as a nurse and really helped me process what was a difficult situation. I had only been a nurse for a little over a year at the time and was so frustrated with what happened. Kaleb took the time to go over everything with me and truly helped me move past the frustration. I will never forget the kindness he showed in those moments.
***
Kaleb exemplifies leadership on a daily basis. He is present to help staff, hands-on in emergency situations as well as nonemergency situations. He is available frequently, coming in during night shift, or staying into night shift to be present for the whole team. He provides immediate feedback and assistance when needed. He communicates weekly and as needed for upcoming changes and for instituting new policy changes. He supports our staff emotionally because we are a work family. With this many staff members, life circumstances can be very difficult. Kaleb assesses the needs of staff and supports us through those life changes, and helps with work-life balance. He has changed the morale of our staff, who in the past or previous jobs may have been concerned when a director approached. I've heard new employees verbalize that when their prior directors came out of their office, there was a problem. Our staff knows that Kaleb is here to do the job of a director, but with kindness, not fear. He listens and he cares. Don't get me wrong. He does what is needed to serve our units with his strengths as a leader. We appreciate how he walks and demonstrates what a leader should be. I've personally never had a better leader.
***
Kaleb is one of the best people to work for. He always checks in with his employees to make sure we are doing okay. I had a situation arise this past year, and Kaleb called a case review to address the issues that arose during this situation. He advocated for me as a nurse and really helped me process what was a difficult situation. I had only been a nurse for a little over a year at the time and was so frustrated with what happened. Kaleb took the time to go over everything with me and truly helped me move past the frustration. I will never forget the kindness he showed in those moments.