Leslie Neider, B.S.N., R.N., CMSRN, began being mentored by Texas Health Resources nurses long before she joined the healthcare system. As a high school senior, Neider took a health sciences class that included shadowing medical professionals. She was interested in becoming a physician, but rounding with nurses at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford changed her mind.
“I watched how they provided bedside care and interacted with the patients, which changed my perspective,” Neider said. “Those nurses made me want to become a nurse.”
Mentorship has continued to help Neider grow. One of her first managers said she saw a leader in the making.
“My manager said she saw me taking her job one day, and I told her, ‘No way. Not going to happen,’” Neider said. “I just didn’t see myself as a leader at that point.”
She joined Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton six years ago and credits the Nursing Career Advancement Program and becoming a charge nurse with helping her change her view of herself.
“NCAP and the charge nurse position were real catalysts for my professional growth,” said Neider, who was a Level V NCAP nurse before becoming a supervisor.
When Neider moved into a supervisor role, another mentor helped her develop leadership skills.
“While I was a supervisor, my manager, Jeremiah Aguilar, taught me how to be a leader,” Neider said. “He would always take time out of his day to show me the things he did as a manager.”
Neider took other opportunities to advance her professional growth, including serving as her unit-based council chair and working as a member of the system Falls Committee.
“Texas Health is committed to providing a supportive professional development environment for our front-line nurses to be successful and advance in their careers,” said Mary Robinson, Ph.D., R.N., NEA-BC, chief nursing executive. “Leslie is a great example of a nurse who seized opportunities to grow and thrive.”
Neider also participated in research, where other mentors helped her grow. Neider was a co-investigator, along with nurse scientists Patty Newcomb, Ph.D., R.N., and Judy Walsh, Ph.D., R.N., on a research study titled, “Relationship Between Heart Failure Bedside Discharge Teaching and Readmissions.” The research was recently published in the MedSurg Nursing journal.
“I like research because it gives us the chance to test things before we put them into practice,” Neider said. “I enjoyed working with Patty and Judy, and publishing the research was another example of nurse leaders helping another leader at Texas Health.”
Newcomb appreciates her role as a mentor.
“As nurse scientists, we love helping nurses grow in their knowledge of research and the impact they can have on innovation and improving patient care,” she said.
Today, Neider is a manager of the surgical and oncology units and is paying it forward by mentoring others.
“I really enjoy helping those around me grow,” she said. “I like helping my team be the best versions of themselves, so they can give the best care possible to their patients.”
Opportunities for nurses to grow and lead
- Texas Health’s nurse scientists can help you learn about research and participate in a project or study.
- My Career Journey provides helpful assessments, mentoring opportunities and goal setting guidance to grow your career.
- Texas Health’s Tuition Reimbursement Program can help you advance your education.
- The Nursing Career Advancement Program provides rewards and recognition for your professional development.
- Professional governance, including unit-based councils and Nursing Congress, gives nurses the opportunity to participate in shared decision-making.
- Texas Health’s Registered Nurse Specialty Certification policy provides a standardized process for bonus payments and exam fee reimbursements for registered nurses who achieve a national nursing specialty certification.
