Sue is not only a joy to work with, but I'm also confident her staff would tell you she is a joy to work for as well! Sue Wolka is someone who leads by example. She would never ask a staff member to do something she would not do herself. She stays current by attending every education session her nurses do. She mentors her charge nurses and supports the growth of everyone on the unit. She is an advocate, not only for the patients on her unit but for her staff and they know that she fully supports them. She is a compassionate leader and fiercely loyal. She knows a lot about her staff but also knows how to be their manager. She is trusted and respected by physicians, leadership in other hospital departments and the entire nursing leadership team.
She Is quick to offer her unit to pilot new programs or processes and as such is a strong change agent for leadership initiatives.
She listens to what her staff has to say and empowers them to find solutions for issues on the unit. She participates fully in all nursing leadership forums and takes advantage of educational opportunities herself as well - she is very proud of her Nurse Executive certification and was actually one of the first leaders to obtain that board certification. She actively seeks out leadership education so that she will be prepared to re-certify when that time comes.
She knows how to manage the finances of her unit and sees how the unit management affects the hospital's overall performance. She works on a host of committees and is always willing to take a leadership assignment when needed.
Although she might be just as happy scrapbooking with her girlfriends, we are glad Sue Wolka comes to work every day to manage the CCSU! I am proud and humbled to work alongside Sue every day, she is a true DAISY Nurse Leader.