From Imposter Syndrome to RN, to MBA to DNP: Meet Servant Leader and Change-Maker, Dr. Diane Reinhard
What is your personal/professional story?
I am the youngest of 5 children, all girls. We moved around a bit growing up due to my Dad’s job which led to a sense of not always being confident. I always felt protected by my family through their love and encouragement. I learned to smile and often to fake it till you make it. I have always been a hard worker and hold a deep love of learning. I have received strength and important life lessons from my parents and each of my sisters. I decided to become a nurse because I had a sister who was a nurse and I loved visiting her at work. Her knowledge and the impact she had on those she was cared for was awe-inspiring. I have learned perseverance and necessity of self-love through the opportunities and challenges they went through. I wanted to protect myself from pain and disappointment by being self-sufficient. The profession of Nursing gave me an opportunity to work in a respected role. It challenged me to become a life long learner so I could always be at the top of my game. It showed me how to have a positive impact on others.
I graduated form a Diploma Nursing program in 1982. During our education onboarding, we were instructed to look to the right and then to the left. The message was one of those individuals would not make it through the program. They were looking at me too!
I made a commitment to not be a casualty of that program. I may not have been top of my class, yet I did graduate.
I moved to Colorado within a year . I began a new career and pursued my Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Realizing Healthcare was also a business, which as a nurse sometimes felt insulting, I received my MBA in 1989. An MBA teaches the hard and soft skills of a business.
At this time, my focus was growing in my profession as a leader, as well as raising two boys with an incredibly supportive husband. As healthcare was becoming more dependent on technology, I pursued a Masters in Computer Information systems in 2001. My healthcare leadership journey continued. In 2009, I became the Chief Nursing Officer at Craig Hospital. In 2013, I completed my Doctorate of Nursing Practice with an emphasis in Executive Leadership.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
I believe I can continue to grow as a leader. I also know that I will continue to learn steps to being a better person. I have a key moment that helped me have a clearer vision of who I wanted to become. There is a sad statement that nurses are sometimes known for…”we eat our young”. This means historically we are the first to be critical of other nurses around us and not always helpful.
I had a situation happen, when I was pursuing a promotion in which I was told, “… bad things might happen to the organization if I was promoted.” This was from a person whom, at the time I considered a mentor and friend. It felt like “my world was knocked off its axis.” Luckily, I had individuals in my life who helped me find my value again and
encouraged me to be strong. One colleague encouraged me to go out and show others my true character. I received that promotion and others after that.
I received speaking invitations to share my leadership journey and lessons learned on the way. This experience always comes up. I always admit it was painful for many months. In hindsight, this experience actually made me stronger. I again learned perseverance and self-love.
Where does your passion to serve come from?
I have had amazing role models in my life. From parents, who raised five strong, independent women and a husband who taught me and our son’s that coming home to a loving family (or friends) is how we get through the hard times in life. Success is not guaranteed and life is not fair. From four incredible sisters who never let go , to amazing women and male leaders who believed in me enough that I could eventually believe in myself. I learned I will always give my best even if others do not think it is enough.
I am mentored by someone who has opened doors for me and pushed me through. I can now see my true purpose, impact and creativity. So many people have loved, guided and encouraged me. I feel I am responsible to do this for others. I love to support and mentor others. Imposter syndrome is alive and well. We need “friends” who will distract that persona for us so we can thrive.
I am so full of gratitude for the individuals who have helped me see I always held the choice of who to become.
How can GlobalMindED help you reach your goals?
My goal is to have opportunities to be impactful in helping others grow, believe in themselves and listen to them when life puts challenges in their path. In many ways, I see this as a goal of GlobalMindED.
Diane will be speaking on the Health Equity track at GlobalMIndED in June. We are honored to have her join us!
