Fred DeVito once said, “If it does not challenge you, it does not change you.” That quote has shaped my journey as a nurse and a leader. Every step of my career from volunteering, to nursing school, clinical practice, earning my Master of Science in Nursing, and now serving as the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurse Manager has been defined by choosing growth over comfort. I knew early on that if I wanted to be a strong leader, I needed to commit to continuous growth.
Choosing Growth Over Comfort
For the past nine years as a Nurse Manager, challenge has been my greatest teacher. This role is one of the most complex and influential in a hospital. I am not simply managing tasks. I am shaping the environment where nurses practice and families place their trust. I am the connector between people, process, and purpose. I influence culture, teamwork, and patient outcomes. The responsibility is significant, and so is the opportunity.
One lesson became clear quickly: leadership development cannot stop once you transition into the role. Transition to practice is only the foundation. Real growth happens in the years that follow. Nurse Managers sit at the center of retention, professional development, and operational stability, yet the role is often unclear, overwhelming, and inconsistently supported. Watching burnout among managers pushed me to rethink how we develop and sustain leaders. I wanted more for myself, my peers, and those who would come after us.
The Reality of the Nurse Manager Role
My own shift came with the AONL Nurse Manager Fellowship in 2024. The fellowship challenged me to look inward and examine how I lead myself before leading others. My project centered on elevating and standardizing the Nurse Manager role within my organization. That experience confirmed a lesson I now teach new leaders: if you do not define your role, the role will define you.
Much of my work in leadership development has been done in partnership with our Director of Professional Development, Christina Llanez, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CNML. Together we strengthened programs designed to support emerging and current leaders. One initiative I am proud of is the Transition to Nurse Manager Practice Program modeled after AONL’s framework and enhanced with real-time mentorship. Each new manager is paired with an experienced leader who guides them through emotional intelligence, accountability, communication, and strategic thinking. These relationships extend beyond orientation, building confidence, clarity, and belonging. Watching two cohorts grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
In addition to mentorship, I helped design a standardized orientation and resource guide for new Nurse Managers because clarity has a direct affects retention. Christina and I also created a hospital-wide Leadership Series focused on accreditation, quality improvement, project management, and crucial conversations. In 2025, we introduced WeLEAD, a two-day Nursing Advocacy Day program that educates leaders on legislative processes, strengthens the ability of nurse leaders to influence health policy, and creates opportunities for leaders to meet with local legislative officials to advocate for nursing priorities.
Defining and Developing the Role
All of these initiatives reflect a belief that guides my leadership. You must lead yourself before you can lead others. Growth requires intention. Leaders who thrive stay open, reflective, curious, and adaptable. They pursue development even when the role feels overwhelming. They seek feedback, build relationships, and step into opportunities that stretch them. Continuous learning is essential for anyone who wants longevity in this role.
A Call to Continuous Growth
Leadership development is not a one-time event; it’s a lifelong journey. If there is one message, I hope readers take away, it is this: do not wait for the right moment to grow. Healthcare changes daily. The skills that served you yesterday will not be enough for tomorrow. Push yourself to learn. Apply for opportunities that challenge you. Build your network. Take the class that intimidates you. Growth begins where comfort ends.
My career has been defined by continuously choosing growth. The journey has not always been easy, but it has always been worth it. Continuous leadership development has made me a stronger leader for my patients, my team, and my organization. I hope it inspires others to embrace growth far beyond transition to practice.
About the Author
Yamile Viera Reyes, MSN, RN, CNML is the Nurse Manager of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, Florida. She is a 2024 AONL Nurse Manager Fellow and leads multiple organizational initiatives focused on leadership development, workforce retention, and nursing advocacy.