Preparing Nurse Leaders: An Interview with Dr. F. Patrick Robinson, RN, FAAN [Podcast]

Last week I had the pleasure of talking to Dr. Patrick Robinson, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Capella University. Dr. Robinson has extensive experience and achievements in academia and nursing leadership, in addition to clinical expertise within the care of patients with HIV/AIDS. We talked about his journey into nursing and the work he’s doing at Capella University and the Nurses on Boards Coalition to organize nurses to be leaders in health care.

Highlights of our conversation include words of wisdom from Dr. Robinson’s mentor, Dr. Joan Shaver, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing on the University of Arizona. In fact, when Dr. Robinson is faced with an issue or challenge, he often asks himself, “What would Joan do?” Here are three takeaways from this recommendation:

1. Don’t be afraid of resistance.
2. Let people develop naturally.
3. People have a spectrum of tolerance for change.

You’ll even be inspired by Dr. Robinson’s advice on “building a leadership playbook” and lifelong learning. Here are the three basic “arts” from his own playbook:

1. What matters is people and their development.
2. If you will be there, be present; and realize that you want to be somewhat selective in what you undertake.
3. Ego might be considered one of your biggest assets and considered one of your biggest liabilities – concentrate to it!

Take a while and hearken to our full conversation here.

Thank you Dr. Robinson for this inspiring conversation and for the necessary work you do!

About Dr. Robinson: