Inspired by the profound impact of nursing, Shannon Odell, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, leads her team with vision and determination in the complex and ever-evolving world of pediatric healthcare. She is guided by a deep commitment to ensuring that the hospital provides exceptional care while navigating the challenges and opportunities of advancing technologies, financial constraints, and evolving practice standards. 

To Shannon, nursing is a harmonious blend of art and science, where compassion and clinical expertise converge to transform lives – both for patients and nursing colleagues. Her journey into nursing was driven by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference, and she remains passionate about the field’s inherent diversity—spanning specialties like critical care, maternity, pediatrics, and neonatal nursing, along with pathways ranging from bedside practice to leadership. 

As Chief Nursing Officer of a specialty children’s hospital, Shannon champions nursing excellence and fosters a collaborative environment where innovation thrives. Her team’s dedication to inspiring hope and promoting lifelong health is reflected in the hospital’s mission to provide the highest quality care to every child, empowering both patients and families throughout their healthcare journeys. 

Shifting the Focus from Challenges to Strengths 

Shannon’s personal nursing philosophy centers on a strength-based approach, emphasizing the importance of identifying and building on strengths—whether those of patients, families, colleagues, or the healthcare organization. “So often, through interactions with those in the workplace, I hear lengthy descriptions or discussion with an emphasis on weaknesses. For example, throughout my career, it is not uncommon when listening to a shift report, to hear about the ‘noncompliant patient in room x’ or the family members who don’t seem to care. Often there are comments expressed by the nursing staff regarding the frustrations they have with their co-workers or with a particular physician. I also routinely hear comments on the current challenges within nursing (i.e., burnout, turnover, workplace violence, etc.). The negativity can be overwhelming at times and can suck you in if you let it. As a nurse leader, how can I truly make a difference in the lives of those I lead when my focus is on the negative? How can I instill a sense of hope into the lives of others or maintain a sense of hope myself when there is such an emphasis on weaknesses? As a healthcare team, how can we provide the level of care that our patients and their loved ones deserve with this focus? I believe that as a nurse, I need to start by identifying the strengths of individual patients, their family members, my fellow nurses or physicians, my organization, and my profession. I am amazed that when my focus begins there, or when I encourage another nurse to start there, what a difference it makes,” she says. 

Adelyn’s Story: Strength-Based Care in Action 

A case in point is the story of Adelyn, one of the nurses Shannon used to work with. Adelyn struggled with feelings of frustration and judgment toward a patient’s mother whose decisions had led to her child’s hospitalization. Shannon says, “Adelyn was a nurse that worked on a unit I led. She came to me one day with great concern for a pediatric patient who was at the hospital with a fractured femur due to a motor vehicle accident. Adelyn had learned that the patient had been left by her mother in the care of her cousin for an extended period. Her cousin was only sixteen and had recently received her driver’s license. Adelyn was appalled that this mother would leave her child with such a young inexperienced driver. As a mother herself, she could not understand why this mother would be so complacent with her child. Adelyn was struggling with how to effectively care for this family when she had such strong feelings of anger toward this mother. I listened to Adelyn’s concerns and then challenged her to consider whether there was more to this story than what she currently knew. I encouraged Adelyn to look for the strengths that this family might have that could then serve as a building block for the care that she was providing. I also encouraged Adelyn not to allow her initial impression and judgment of this situation to impact the level of care that she was able to provide to this child and her family. I encouraged her to instead look at this as a window of opportunity to make a difference for this family.” 

“The following day, Adelyn came to my office. She wanted to thank me for our conversation the previous day and stated, ‘you were right, there was much more to the story.’ She shared that if she had not taken to time to sit down and visit with this mother, she would have completely missed an opportunity to make a difference. Adelyn learned that this single mother was committed to providing for her family. She was able to find a job where she could work every weekend to earn enough money for her family and still be able to be there for her daughter and her niece during the week. She did not want to live on welfare and wanted to provide an example for her family. She also wanted to be sure that her work did not interfere with her daughter’s ability to be at school. The job she had obtained was in a town a couple of hours away and so she needed to stay there Friday and Saturday night each weekend. She did not have other family members or friends whom she felt comfortable leaving the girls with while she was gone. Adelyn shared with me how evident the love was that this mother had for her daughter and her niece, as well as how devastated she was about what had happened. Based on the new understanding Adelyn had gained of the mother, she was able to demonstrate a level of care and compassion for the family that she otherwise would have been unable to. Adelyn’s story still serves as one of many reminders to me of the importance of a strength-based approach in my work. I have learned repeatedly that this approach reveals that things are often not as they initially appear to be and how important it is to withhold judgment and instead focus on identifying and highlighting strengths in the work of nursing,” Shannon says. 

Lessons from the Strength-Based Approach 

• Withholding judgment: People’s situations are often more complex than they appear. Taking the time to understand their context fosters empathy and compassion. 
• Focusing on strengths: Starting with strengths: creates opportunities for meaningful connections and solutions. It shifts the dynamic from criticism to support. 
• Empowering care: Recognizing and building on strengths empowers both the caregiver and the recipient, leading to better outcomes and satisfaction. 

Shannon continues to champion this approach, using it as a foundation for her leadership and advocacy for nursing excellence. It serves as a reminder of how powerful reframing perspectives can be, allowing for deeper connections and a greater capacity to make a positive difference. 

Strengthening Team Morale Through Engagement 

Shannon’s approach as a Chief Nursing Officer is focused on staying connected with frontline nurses through intentional initiatives like rounding, open office hours, stakeholder breakfasts, and “take your CNO to work” events. These efforts not only demonstrate her commitment to supporting nurses but also ensure a clear understanding of their experiences, challenges, and successes. 

These interactions allow her to celebrate what brings nurses joy in their work while also identifying areas for improvement. This leadership style undoubtedly strengthens team morale and ensures the delivery of high-quality, compassionate care. 

The Rise of Advanced Practice Roles 

The nursing profession continues to grow and diversify, offering a wide range of practice options, including advanced practice roles that address specific population needs and leverage technological advancements. Shannon highlights that at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, many new nurses are drawn to becoming family nurse practitioners (FNPs) for the perceived career flexibility. However, Shannon advocates for the pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) pathway, particularly in acute care, to ensure these nurses are equipped to provide specialized, high-quality care to children. She emphasizes the need for more pediatric acute care nurse practitioner programs to support this critical training. 

The Growing Role of Technology in Nursing 

Shannon is a firm believer that technology and innovation are transforming nursing practices, enabling nurses to deliver superior care through tools like virtual nursing, telehealth, simulation training, and nursing informatics. These advancements enhance patient care by improving monitoring, providing expert support for early-career nurses, and fostering better patient education. This evolution in nursing underscores the profession’s adaptability to the dynamic healthcare landscape while prioritizing both patient outcomes and professional growth. 

The Nicklaus Children’s nursing team addresses procedural anxiety through virtual reality (VR), allowing nurses in the emergency department to integrate play – a comforting and natural language for children – into their care experience. the Nicklaus Children’s nursing team addresses procedural anxiety. By using VR to create a more supportive and child-friendly environment, the team not only reduces stress for young patients but also positions nurses as leaders in adopting cutting-edge technologies. This holistic approach reflects the hospital’s dedication to combining medical expertise with emotional well-being, demonstrating how innovation can bridge the gap between advanced healthcare and compassionate care delivery. 

Teamwork in Action 

Fostering an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration through professional governance is key to realizing Nicklaus Children’s vision of providing the best care to every child. Nurses play a pivotal role by participating in and leading hospital-wide committees and task forces that address critical issues impacting patients and families. 

The hospital actively promotes professional  

development among nurses, encouraging advanced education, evidence-based practice, innovation, and research. Through shared decision-making and leadership opportunities, nurses contribute significantly to delivering comprehensive and coordinated care. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but also supports a culture of empowerment and continuous improvement within the nursing profession. 

Guiding Nurses Through Transition and Leadership Development 

It is well established that supportive mentor relationships between experienced and novice nurses foster both professional and personal growth. To address this need, Nicklaus Children’s has embedded a mentorship program into its Horizon Nurse Residency Program. 

The program is designed to support nurses as they transition into practice, helping them feel less isolated and more confident in their new roles. Mentorship in this context allows novice nurses to build foundational skills, enhance their problem-solving abilities, and develop a deeper sense of belonging within the profession. 

Similarly, for nurses transitioning into formal leadership roles, mentorship serves as a vital resource. It offers opportunities to strengthen communication, improve decision-making, and gain fresh perspectives on effective leadership strategies. Shannon notes that mentorship also provides honest feedback and helps reduce stress associated with stepping into these challenging roles, ultimately fostering well-rounded and capable nurse leaders. 

Lifelong Learning and Proactive Engagement 

For nurses aspiring to leadership roles, Shannon underlines the importance of lifelong learning and proactive engagement. She offers the following advice: 

Commit to Continuous Education:  

• Read extensively to stay updated on advancements in nursing and healthcare. 
• Pursue professional certifications in your specialty to deepen your expertise. 
• Consider advanced degrees to broaden career opportunities and enhance leadership capabilities. 

Engage in Professional Activities: 

• Become an active member of a professional nursing organization. 
• Seek leadership opportunities within your current role, such as chairing committees, co-chairing projects, serving as a charge nurse, or precepting new nurses. 

Embrace Mentorship: 

• Look for a mentor who can provide guidance and support during your leadership journey. 
• Offer mentorship to others, as teaching and guiding peers can deepen your leadership skills. 

Strive for Excellence: 

• Stay curious and committed to growing as a professional. 
• Become an expert in your current area of practice to advocate effectively for patients, families, and evidence-based nursing practices. 

These tips can help nurses position themselves as strong candidates for leadership roles and contribute meaningfully to the nursing profession while advancing their careers.  

Future of Pediatric Nursing 

As the Chief Nursing Officer at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, Shannon is committed to driving nursing excellence across the organization. Her strategic vision is centered on fostering a culture where nurses are actively engaged in their practice through professional governance. Under her leadership, Shannon has been building a robust infrastructure that not only prepares nurses but also empowers them to evolve into dynamic leaders within the profession. This focus on leadership development is integral to her broader goal of enhancing the delivery of high-quality care to the children and families the hospital serves. Shannon’s unwavering dedication ensures that the nursing team is positioned to deliver exceptional patient care while advancing the field of pediatric nursing. 

To know more, please visit: https://www.nicklauschildrens.org/