Marlys Neis

I started my journey working on a farm with animals before deciding to go into nursing, which I loved. Throughout my career, I was always a marked leader, always trying to make things better. I was particularly focused on nursing recruitment, which has always been a challenge, and I was always interested in seeing what I could do to make situations better for staff nurses. When I was Vice President in Madison, Wisconsin, we did a research study on nurse job satisfaction, and the idea was that we were going to involve staff nurses in decision-making. My work at getting staff nurses involved in decision-making and improving job satisfaction was one of my greatest achievements, and I was recognized by the University of Wisconsin College of Nursing. I had a mentor, Phyllis, who was the head of the associate degree nursing program that I helped to start in Iowa. I learned a lot about leadership from her and a lot about problem solving from her. Because she became a close personal friend, she was a guide all the way through my graduate program and into some of my first administrative positions. I believe in lifelong education - it's not a one and done, you continue to learn throughout life.

The most impactful advice I received came from my mentor, Phyllis, who emphasized thoughtful leadership and practical problem-solving. She taught me to approach challenges with both clarity and compassion, and to always consider the broader impact of decisions on people and systems. Her guidance not only influenced my leadership style but also gave me the confidence to take on new initiatives, including helping to establish an associate degree nursing program early in my career.

I would say understand the principles of what you're doing. Don't forget about the patient. Don't let the patient get lost in your frustrations with the system. Pay attention to the patient and pay attention to the family.

One of the most significant challenges continues to be nursing recruitment and job satisfaction, particularly as healthcare systems evolve and demands increase. I’ve also observed variability in the quality of care compared to earlier in my career, which is concerning. However, these challenges also present opportunities—especially in re-engaging nurses in decision-making, strengthening leadership at all levels, and reimagining care delivery in ways that better support both patients and healthcare professionals.

The values that guide me are resilience, patient-centeredness, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Resilience has been essential both professionally and personally, especially through times of change and adversity. Keeping the patient at the center of every decision has always grounded my work, and I strongly believe in continually learning and growing, no matter the stage of life or career.