Vinice Thomas

NHS England London Region, UK

Abstract Title: UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF NURSE SYSTEM LEADERS WITHIN HEALTH CARE

Biography:

Vinice is Director of Nursing at NHS England, United Kingdom. She is the national joint Chair for the Chief Nursing Officer for England’s Black Minority Ethnic Strategic Advisory Group, and a Trustee for the Sickle Cell Society. Vinice is a Florence Nightingale Foundation scholar and a Queen’s Nurse in recognition of her commitment to community nursing. Vinice developed and led the Talent Management Support Network programme for Black and Ethnic Minority nurses and midwives across London, which was awarded the gold award in the 2024 Health Service Journal Partnership Awards. Vinice is a published author, having co-authored a Safety Toolkit for Midwives, edited the Fundamental of Infection Prevention and Control, and published a series of articles on Nurse Leadership. Vinice is a Doctorate student with the Anglia Ruskin University where she is exploring the role of nurse system leaders in England. Vinice is a passionate, energetic and authentic leader and national speaker

Research Interest:

BACKGROUND
What is a nurse system leader? Whilst this term or even role is not widely understood or agreed upon, there is evidence within healthcare that such a role exist and is effective in bringing about change for patients, the workforce and populations. The literature does in fact emphasise the impact health care leaders can have to improve care when they interact effectively together as system leaders (Van Dyke 2013, Kaehne et al 2022). When we apply this to a nurse leader, the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues with other sectors and across organisational boundaries is paramount for improving care and health outcomes.
AIM:
Drawing on findings from my critical review of the literature as part of my doctorate study, (ethical approval has been obtained from Anglia Ruskin University ethics committee), and my experience as a nurse system leader and that of colleagues, the presentation will explore the role of a nurse system leader, and the extent to which it is able to influence the quality of care and health service provided.
SUMMARY
Nurses play a pivotal role in the delivery of quality patient care and services. Nurse leaders exist at all levels of health care and as such can be instrumental in having a positive impact on health care systems. To be effective as a nurse system leader, it is essential there is an understanding of the complexity of health and social care systems, as well as those which impact health such as social care, law enforcement, education, housing, and industry, and their differing infrastructures, and cultures (Castelyn 2024). The key messages from this presentation, which is based on nurse system leadership within the National Health Service in the UK, will have benefit for our colleagues within the wider global nursing profession.
Key words: Nurse leadership, health care system, quality care, system nurse leaders, organisational culture