I’ll admit it—I’ve been staring at my screen with a serious case of writer’s block. Nothing, nada, zilch. Then it hit me: why not just write about what’s right in front of me? So here we are. Let’s talk about something that has changed my work life in a big way: hiring the right second-in-command.
Because let’s be honest, no matter how good you are, you can’t carry the entire circus by yourself.
Enter My Charge Nurse
Hiring her was like finding the missing puzzle piece I didn’t even know I lost. She’s basically the Energizer Bunny in scrubs—nonstop, full throttle, and keeping the clinic from falling apart when ten fires are burning at once. She’s got more years of clinical experience than me (and yes, sometimes I lean on that).
But here’s the kicker: she struggles when it comes to hard conversations with staff. And that’s okay. Because where she hesitates, I don’t. We balance each other. She handles the hustle, I handle the messy “let’s talk about your attitude” conversations.
Why Your Second Matters
Listen—if you’re leading a team and you’re still trying to do it all yourself, stop. Just stop. You need someone next to you who:
Covers your blind spots (because, spoiler alert, you have them).
Keeps things moving when you’re pulled in six directions.
Brings a different energy and perspective so you’re not running the place on fumes.
A good second doesn’t make you less of a leader—they make you a stronger one.
The Real Talk
Here’s the truth: leadership isn’t about being everywhere, doing everything, or knowing it all. It’s about building a team where your strengths shine and your weaknesses don’t sink the ship. My charge nurse might not love confrontation, but she brings the kind of energy and expertise that makes the whole clinic better.
And honestly? That’s worth its weight in gold (or at least in caffeine).
Now excuse me while I refill my coffee before the next crisis walks in.