To Those Keeping the Physician-Centered Mold, I'm a Nurse Dreaming to Lead: Do I Deserve It?

I am a nurse. A caregiver, an advocate, a scientist, a critical thinker. But above all, I am a dreamer. I dream of leadership-not just the title, but the responsibility to reshape systems that no longer serve patients or providers. I dream of a future where decisions aren’t confined to the physician-centered mold but are co-created with the full spectrum of healthcare expertise.

But then, I pause. I question myself: “Do I deserve it?”

And that’s the root of the problem, isn’t it? The healthcare system I work within often tells me-subtly, persistently-that leadership is someone else’s role. That my place is at the bedside, not the boardroom. That dreaming of leading is a rebellion against tradition.

The Physician-Centered Mold: A Legacy of Hierarchies

The physician-centered model wasn’t born from malice; it’s a relic of a time when healthcare was simpler, less interdisciplinary. Physicians carried the bulk of the decision-making burden because they were seen as the sole repositories of medical knowledge.

But healthcare has evolved, and so has nursing. Today, nurses:

• Deliver 90% of global healthcare services.
• Spend more time with patients than any other provider.
• Use advanced degrees and evidence-based expertise to inform patient care.

Despite these advancements, the mold persists. Leadership structures, decision-making processes, and professional hierarchies continue to center physicians, often at the expense of nurses’ contributions.

The Silent Question: Am I Asking for Too Much?

When nurses aspire to lead, we are sometimes met with skepticism. “But you’re a nurse,” some might say, as if leadership is an exclusive club reserved for others. These unspoken barriers force us to ask ourselves:

• “Am I dreaming too big?”
• “Am I asking for too much?”

The reality is, we are not asking for too much-we are asking for exactly what we deserve. Leadership is not about titles or power; it’s about influence, responsibility, and the ability to drive meaningful change. And nurses, by the nature of our work, are already leading in ways that matter.

Why Nurses Are Uniquely Suited to Lead

Nurses bring something extraordinary to the table: a 360-degree view of healthcare.

• We understand clinical complexities from the bedside.
• We see the inefficiencies in systems from the trenches.
• We advocate for patients with unparalleled insight.

Research supports this. Studies show that healthcare organizations with nurse leaders achieve:

• Better patient outcomes.
• Higher staff satisfaction.
• More innovative, sustainable systems.

Yet, despite this evidence, the mold persists. Nurses remain the underestimated giants of healthcare.

Breaking the Mold: Nurses Dreaming to Lead

To those clinging to the physician-centered mold, I ask: Why are you afraid of nurse leaders? Our dreams do not diminish yours. Our aspirations for leadership are not a threat-they are a lifeline for a system desperate for fresh perspectives. Leadership isn’t a zero-sum game. It’s a collective responsibility.

But for nurses dreaming to lead, the path forward requires boldness, resilience, and strategy. Here’s how we can step into our rightful place as leaders:

𝟏. 𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐭

Share the evidence of nurse-led successes in patient outcomes, cost savings, and system improvements. Prove not with words but with data that nursing leadership is a necessity, not a luxury.

𝟐. 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐬

True leadership isn’t about exclusion; it’s about inclusion. Partner with physicians, administrators, and other disciplines to co-create solutions. Show that nurse-led does not mean nurse-only.

𝟑. 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐬 𝐀𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐎𝐟 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲

Leadership is the natural evolution of nursing advocacy. When we lead, we advocate not just for patients but for systems that support equitable, compassionate care.

𝟒. 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬, 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦

If leadership opportunities are scarce, create them. Speak up, seek advanced education, and push boundaries until the mold cracks under the weight of your determination.

Do We Deserve It? Absolutely.

To those asking, “Do nurses deserve to lead?” the answer is a resounding YES. Not because of ambition, but because of necessity. Our leadership isn’t just a dream-it’s a solution to healthcare’s most pressing challenges.

And to the nurses dreaming to lead: Dream bigger. You deserve to lead, to innovate, to transform. The mold may be strong, but it is not unbreakable. Each step you take, each barrier you challenge, and each voice you raise chips away at it.

A Question for All: Who Shapes Healthcare’s Future?

So I leave you with this: Who should shape the future of healthcare? Those who hold the traditional mold or those who live the realities of care every day?

Let’s reimagine leadership together. Nurses, physicians, administrators-it’s time to build a new mold, one shaped by collaboration, respect, and shared vision. And nurses, your dream to lead isn’t just valid-it’s vital. Keep dreaming. Keep leading. You deserve it.