February 2023
Dianne
Halpern
,
MSN, RN, CNML
1A
Bayhealth Medical Center
Dover
,
DE
United States
Dianne Halpern is an exemplary nurse leader and an irreplaceable expert in her craft. She has led many nurses to become amazing and strong leaders. She has the most integrity I have ever seen in a nurse and truly cares for her flock.
I was born at Bayhealth Hospital and became an employee in 2013 as a new nurse graduate. My entire 7-year career at Bayhealth was spent on 1A. I was on multiple councils and committees, led the first 1A shared governance, was the primary preceptor of 1A, charge RN, and whatever else I could get my hands on.
To know my background with Bayhealth and unit 1A isn't the most important, but this dedication, determination, eagerness, and growth were a clear result of the encouragement, support, patience, time, and sometimes a good "kick in the pants " from The Dianne Halpern.
From the very beginning of my career, I admired how she led my interview with great confidence, knowledge, and organization, making me want to be on 1A. Dianne has a magical way of being a kind and patient leader whom I could go to and feel safe if I made a mistake while also being firm, direct, and serious (especially when it came to her patients). I've always had what I like to say a "healthy fear" and respect for her. She is the perfect picture of what I want to be as a nurse leader. She is tough and instills high standards, expects staff to meet those and exceed them, is a protector of her nurses, is dedicated to her craft, holds her staff accountable, and is no-nonsense when it comes to patient care. There was never a gray area with Dianne, she was always a clear communicator and I never had to doubt what was expected of me. When I came to her with a concern, she would stop what she was doing, pull up her email, and start typing. I trusted that if I said "Dianne Halpern said.." then it was getting done.
She could tell when I was becoming burnt out, even before I did, and made me feel safe to share my thoughts and tears. She protected me and took me out of councils and precepting even when I didn't want her to, but she knew, she always knew what was best for me. My mother died very publicly in 2016. This made big news for a short period of time and all of Bayhealth cared for me, especially 1A, especially Dianne. In 2020 my grandfather was diagnosed with a brain tumor that resulted in his death a month later. He moved in with my husband and me and I became his caregiver. Dianne supported me, protected my job, and worked with my schedule. I injured my back at work that same year, and she quickly made sure I was ok, led me through all the occupational health requirements, and worked with them to ensure I was doing "all of the right things".
Dianne always followed policy, and when I say always, I mean ALWAYS. No matter the situation, no matter the staff member, and no matter if she wanted to or not, she always followed policy. She never showed favoritism, she was always fair, thoughtful with her words, and led serious meetings with such tact, it still amazes me.
I am currently a Clinic Coordinator supervising over 40 staff members in 4 different rural clinics in Idaho.
Every day I continue to pull from the invaluable experiences I gained from being under Dianne's leadership. I often think "what would Dianne do?". I have been under many nurse leaders: The one that is your friend, the one that is relaxed and doesn't follow policy, the apathetic one, the one that you never see and can never make time for you. Dianne genuinely cared for me and always tried to do what was best for me, even if I didn't always realize it at the time. She pushed me, challenged me, and supported me because she knew that was what I needed to become the leader I am today. I still strive to continue to be more like her, it is not easy, and I have no idea how she does it.
Since leaving Bayhealth, Dianne continues to be my confidant and forever nurse leader. I still call her when I am scared about a career change, have a tough situation that I need advice on navigating, trying to understand my own manager, or simply just need to hear her voice. I trust her advice and instincts more than I ever could on my own.
Dianne Halpern is an exemplary nurse leader and an irreplaceable expert in her craft. She has led many nurses to become amazing and strong leaders. She has the most integrity I have ever seen in a nurse and truly cares for her flock. I want you to know how truly impactful she has been and continues to be for Bayhealth. That her influence has not just affected nurses and patients in Delaware but has also benefited me, my staff, and my patients 3,000 miles across the country.
To know my background with Bayhealth and unit 1A isn't the most important, but this dedication, determination, eagerness, and growth were a clear result of the encouragement, support, patience, time, and sometimes a good "kick in the pants " from The Dianne Halpern.
From the very beginning of my career, I admired how she led my interview with great confidence, knowledge, and organization, making me want to be on 1A. Dianne has a magical way of being a kind and patient leader whom I could go to and feel safe if I made a mistake while also being firm, direct, and serious (especially when it came to her patients). I've always had what I like to say a "healthy fear" and respect for her. She is the perfect picture of what I want to be as a nurse leader. She is tough and instills high standards, expects staff to meet those and exceed them, is a protector of her nurses, is dedicated to her craft, holds her staff accountable, and is no-nonsense when it comes to patient care. There was never a gray area with Dianne, she was always a clear communicator and I never had to doubt what was expected of me. When I came to her with a concern, she would stop what she was doing, pull up her email, and start typing. I trusted that if I said "Dianne Halpern said.." then it was getting done.
She could tell when I was becoming burnt out, even before I did, and made me feel safe to share my thoughts and tears. She protected me and took me out of councils and precepting even when I didn't want her to, but she knew, she always knew what was best for me. My mother died very publicly in 2016. This made big news for a short period of time and all of Bayhealth cared for me, especially 1A, especially Dianne. In 2020 my grandfather was diagnosed with a brain tumor that resulted in his death a month later. He moved in with my husband and me and I became his caregiver. Dianne supported me, protected my job, and worked with my schedule. I injured my back at work that same year, and she quickly made sure I was ok, led me through all the occupational health requirements, and worked with them to ensure I was doing "all of the right things".
Dianne always followed policy, and when I say always, I mean ALWAYS. No matter the situation, no matter the staff member, and no matter if she wanted to or not, she always followed policy. She never showed favoritism, she was always fair, thoughtful with her words, and led serious meetings with such tact, it still amazes me.
I am currently a Clinic Coordinator supervising over 40 staff members in 4 different rural clinics in Idaho.
Every day I continue to pull from the invaluable experiences I gained from being under Dianne's leadership. I often think "what would Dianne do?". I have been under many nurse leaders: The one that is your friend, the one that is relaxed and doesn't follow policy, the apathetic one, the one that you never see and can never make time for you. Dianne genuinely cared for me and always tried to do what was best for me, even if I didn't always realize it at the time. She pushed me, challenged me, and supported me because she knew that was what I needed to become the leader I am today. I still strive to continue to be more like her, it is not easy, and I have no idea how she does it.
Since leaving Bayhealth, Dianne continues to be my confidant and forever nurse leader. I still call her when I am scared about a career change, have a tough situation that I need advice on navigating, trying to understand my own manager, or simply just need to hear her voice. I trust her advice and instincts more than I ever could on my own.
Dianne Halpern is an exemplary nurse leader and an irreplaceable expert in her craft. She has led many nurses to become amazing and strong leaders. She has the most integrity I have ever seen in a nurse and truly cares for her flock. I want you to know how truly impactful she has been and continues to be for Bayhealth. That her influence has not just affected nurses and patients in Delaware but has also benefited me, my staff, and my patients 3,000 miles across the country.