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Director Candidate 

Ryan_OglesbyBen Coe
PhD, RN, EMT-P, CEN, CPEN, PCCN, NHDP-BC, TCRN
Missouri
COEB@UMSYSTEM.EDU

 

 


Why do you seek a position on the ENA Board of Directors?

ENA has given me so much during the time that I have been involved, and I am interested in joining the ENA Board of Directors to extend my commitment to serving our emergency nursing community both nationally and globally. I believe that my years of experience and service have prepared me to be able to offer more to ENA than I have in the past, and I feel that I am ready to step up to the challenge of leading our organization into the future. I have a strong passion for our specialty, and I am to contribute significantly to advancing our profession while upholding ENA’s mission vision, and values. The ENA is for ED Nurses, by ED Nurses and that is exactly who I am. I am a stretcher side nurse in the trenches so to speak every shift, working to save and improve the lives of my patients, while also advocating for nurses to improve our workplaces, decrease violence against nurses, and bring evidence-based practice to the bedside to better care for our patients every day.

How does your academic, professional background and experience on the ENA Board make you a qualified Board candidate?

My extensive academic journey, culminating in dual doctoral degrees in nursing, has equipped me with the necessary skills and expertise to meticulously evaluate evidence and make informed decisions that drive progress for our nurses and the association. Through my active involvement in various committees at local, state, and national levels, I've grasped the significance of governance and honed my ability to effect positive change. ENA's leadership opportunities have further strengthened my leadership capabilities, building upon a foundation established through experiences such as serving as an Eagle Scout, a Major in the Air Force, a Captain in my Fire District, and a Charge Nurse in the Emergency Department. From the moment I first engaged with ENA at a national conference, I knew I wanted to be an integral part of this association and contribute to its leadership. Now, I am fully prepared and eager to take on that responsibility.

Outline the specific skills you bring, or contributions you hope to make to the ENA Board of Directors.

In all my communications, I sign off with "Learner, Achiever, Futuristic, Strategic, Developer," a concise representation of my core attributes. Within ENA, I've been involved in various committees, notably the Nominations and Elections Committee and the Leadership Task Force, where I played a key role in reshaping our approach to developing future leaders. My strengths lie in setting and achieving goals, envisioning the future, and fostering association growth while cultivating strong leadership pipelines. As a board member, I'm committed to collaborating with colleagues and our government relations team to address the pressing national issue of healthcare worker assaults. ENA's influence positions us to shape the dialogue on workplace violence, and I'm dedicated to enhancing safety in our EDs, reducing injuries, and preventing fatalities associated with assaults on healthcare professionals.

Provide a narrative that exemplifies how you demonstrate the Board competencies.

I once heard that the distinction between a PhD nurse and a DNP nurse lies in their respective roles: PhD nurses generate new research, while DNP nurses translate that research into practice. The moment I realized the transformative impact of holding a DNP on my practice occurred when I was tasked with researching the placement of Foley catheters in the ED. Conducting a comprehensive literature review across major databases, I applied strategic thinking and business acumen to analyze existing research, informing decisions and elevating professionalism within my department to fulfill our mission of saving and improving lives. During my tenure on the Nominations and Election Committee, I strongly believed in the committee's role in fostering leadership development and nurturing future leaders. I am immensely proud of the collaborative effort with the board to establish the new Leadership Development and Elections Committee, shaping the future of our organization.