The Magnet Conference, held annually, is the World’s premier nursing conference. Every year attendance increases and the party gets bigger and bigger. Last year, Kootenai Health sent a delegation of 14 people to Orlando for the 2019 conference! The conference always has incredible keynote speakers and Gretchen Rubin was one of them. The Kootenai delegation has still not stopped talking about her and her Four Tendencies! Since it had such an impact, here are four of Kootenai’s own, who describe their Tendency and what it means to them:
Matt Douglas
According to the Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin I am considered an Upholder. An Upholder is someone who is very structured, someone who enjoys making a check-list and checking off tasks that have been completed, someone who is good at creating habits and sticking to them, someone who is generally responsible, and someone who just likes to get things done to be able to move on to the next task. An Upholder also responds well to their own “Internal Expectations” but is also very conscientious of how they are viewed from “External Expectations.”
One of the negative aspects (among others) of an Upholder is getting frustrated with others who are not like them, as well as burnout by “putting too much on their plate.”
Although I see a lot of these descriptions above of an Upholder in myself, I feel that each one of the Four Tendencies have their strengths and weaknesses. Integrating a mix of all Four Tendencies can create success in an organization. Being a part of a Magnet Organization such as Kootenai Health really brings out the best of people and the organization as a whole. Magnet Hospital accreditation requires that we hold ourselves the highest standards for patient care and nursing excellence. Being Magnet recognized means that we at Kootenai Health are the best of the best, which is very important to me. Identifying and utilizing a mixture of the Four Tendencies helps create the environment needed to remain successful and keep up our Magnet Recognition. So, whatever Tendency you are, embrace it, and know that you help make this organization what it is today.
*Upholders are driven by both “External” and “Internal Expectations.”
Audrey Kuetemeyer
My name is Audrey! I have been a nurse in behavioral health for the past five years and have just recently transitioned into the Behavioral Health Nursing Education Specialist position. According to the Gretchen Rubin Four Tendencies quiz, my dominant tendency is Obliger. One of the defining desires for Obligers is accountability. To me, being a part of a Magnet facility means being a part of a community that strives for excellence and innovation (in what we bring to the table in our work and as individuals). As an Obliger, it is important to me to work with a community that encourages, supports, and holds me accountable to excellence.
*Obligers tend to respond best to “External Expectations.”
Jessica Wardak
As a Questioner, I sometimes might not see the importance of something and might not be sure if I am behind it until I receive the explanation of why it is important. Prior to attending the Magnet Conference and being a part of the Magnet Champions committee, I was not sure what it really meant to be part of a Magnet organization.
What I really love about being a part of Kootenai Health is that the community sees how hard we work and how much we care. I had a patient and family recently on Oncology who had been at a university hospital who said Kootenai Health may not be as big, but we had great nurses who know our jobs and care so much. That is why I do the work that I do. No question about that.
*Questioners tend to respond best to “Internal Expectations.”
Gina McCloskey
As a Rebel, I don’t meet expectations, I set them. Being a Magnet Champion allows me the platform to do that for nursing practice. I can’t stand when people say “that’s the way we have always done it” or “what is evidence based practice?” Those questions feel so frigid and conforming. I think bigger than that; I want to break the molds – I like to think, “What experiments or research can Kootenai Health participate in to establish the NEW evidence-based practice for ALL OF NURSING?” Attending the Magnet conference allows freedom to explore these bigger concepts. I take pride in establishing my legacy through nursing practice enhancements.
*Rebels are not driven by either “External” or “Internal Expectations.”
Take the Four Tendencies quiz to find out your Tendency, then enter your result and your name HERE for a chance to win a copy of Gretchen Rubin’s The Four Tendencies in hardback!
Magnet Conference is packed with amazing speakers, poster presentations, and breakout sessions about every topic imaginable! Click here and print application to attend the 2020 conference!
