In pediatric healthcare, chief nursing officers (CNOs) play a critical role in ensuring that patients receive the highest standards of care. Among these dedicated professionals is Shannon Odell, MSN, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, CENP, RNCOB. As the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Nicklaus Children’s Health System in Miami, Florida, she showcases the commitment and innovation needed to advance pediatric nursing.
Shannon’s journey to becoming a chief nursing officer is both inspiring and instructive. With a career background in pediatric, obstetric, and neonatal nursing, Shannon has spent years refining her expertise and leadership skills. Her experience spans from hands-on bedside nursing in medical, surgical, obstetric, neonatal, and pediatric units to strategic leadership roles driving quality improvement and evidence-based practice standards. This diverse background has uniquely positioned her to lead and innovate in pediatric nursing, always with a focus on enhancing patient care.
At Nicklaus Children’s, Shannon’s impact reaches beyond the clinical world. She is a key leader in shaping the hospital’s mission and vision, ensuring that strategic initiatives align with the health system’s commitment to pediatric care. Her work not only impacts the local community but also sets a standard for pediatric nursing excellence on a national level. Shannon’s leadership is a testament to the profound impact that dedicated nurse leaders can have on healthcare systems and patient outcomes.
The Path to Leadership in Pediatric Nursing
From her early days as a bedside nurse, Shannon was drawn to the unique challenges and rewards of caring for women and children. “Witnessing firsthand the challenges that many children face and the positive impact I was able to make as a nurse was incredibly inspiring and humbling,” she shares. This deep personal connection to her patients has been a driving force throughout her career.
Her path included roles in maternity services, pediatric departments, and within the hospital float pool, where she gained extensive experience working with diverse patient populations. Shannon’s focus on pediatric and neonatal nursing was further strengthened by her commitment to quality improvement and integrating evidence-based practice standards into patient care. “In the space of women and children, I was able to start looking more closely at quality improvement and evidence-based practice standards, which helped to improve care and was incredibly rewarding,” she recalls.
Shannon’s personal experiences as a mother and grandmother also inform her professional approach. “Being a mother is a privilege. I want the best for my own children and now my sweet grandchildren. This deep personal experience informs my practice and drive to improve,” she explains. Her journey is a powerful example of how personal and professional experiences can intertwine to create a compassionate and effective nurse leader.
Influencing Pediatric Healthcare
“Setting the vision as the chief nurse is an honor – I have the opportunity to evaluate the true north and make sure that our strategies align with our mission and vision,” she states. This strategic oversight ensures that the hospital’s nursing practices remain aligned with their commitment to high-quality pediatric care.
Nicklaus Children’s Health System’s distinction as the only freestanding pediatric hospital in the region significantly shapes Shannon’s approach to nursing leadership. Shannon emphasizes the importance of advocating for the unique needs of pediatric patients and their families. “Kids are not little adults – we say this all the time. We need to advocate for the unique needs of each patient and family, whether locally, at the state level, or nationally,” she explains. This advocacy extends to both clinical care and legislative issues, highlighting her comprehensive approach to pediatric nursing leadership.
In her role, Shannon also focuses on fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in nursing. “We are constantly pursuing excellence – we cannot be satisfied with the status quo. We must continue to engage in opportunities for professional growth, thereby advancing care as well as our careers. If we are not growing, we are stagnating,” she asserts. Her commitment to growth and innovation is the foundation of her leadership philosophy, driving the hospital’s efforts to enhance pediatric care. “Our staff is a reflection of our patient population, and we are a melting pot of cultures and languages. This allows us to provide culturally competent care,” she explains. This diversity is a strength that enhances the hospital’s ability to meet the needs of patients and their families.
Enhancing Patient Experience Through Innovation
Under Shannon’s leadership, Nicklaus Children’s Health System has implemented several innovative nursing practices designed to enhance the care and experience of pediatric patients. One such innovation is the virtual reality (VR) technology used in the emergency department to reduce procedural anxiety. “We innovate to reduce stress and anxiety for patients, using tools like VR, which incorporate play into the care experience,” Shannon explains. These innovations reflect the hospital’s commitment to creating a child-friendly environment that supports both medical and emotional well-being.
Other notable initiatives include the Baby Steps program, which supports the transition of care for NICU patients and their families, and the Humpty Dumpty Falls Prevention Program, a tool developed by the hospital to identify and mitigate fall risks for pediatric patients. “We are the developers of the Humpty Dumpty Falls Prevention Program, which is now used globally to identify patients at risk of fall and prevent negative outcomes,” Shannon proudly states.
These programs, along with others, demonstrate the hospital’s proactive approach to pediatric care. By focusing on both clinical excellence and patient experience, Nicklaus Children’s continues to set the standard for pediatric nursing. “Because of our strong research, evidence-based practice, and scholarship focus, we are leaders in generating and translating evidence to elevate pediatric care,” Shannon highlights.
Fostering Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Shannon believes that effective collaboration across different healthcare disciplines is essential to improving pediatric care. “Multidisciplinary daily rounds, many of which are nurse-led, facilitate interprofessional collaboration,” she explains. These rounds ensure that all members of the healthcare team are aligned and working together to provide the best possible care for patients.
The hospital also promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through its Professional Governance model, which is open to different disciplines, and its Clinical Effectiveness Program. “Nurses are involved in hospital-wide committees and provide leadership on task forces addressing key issues facing our patients and the families we serve,” Shannon notes. These opportunities for collaboration and shared decision-making enhance the hospital’s ability to deliver comprehensive and coordinated care. Nicklaus Children’s further supports professional development and translation of evidence through events like the Nicklaus Children’s Scholarship Week, which brings together physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals to share best practices and research findings. “Nicklaus Children’s Scholarship Week allows nurses to share nursing innovation and research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement with our colleagues,” Shannon highlights. These initiatives foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement, which is central to the hospital’s mission.
Advice for Aspiring Pediatric Nurse Leaders
Shannon offers valuable advice for aspiring nurse leaders who wish to specialize in pediatric nursing. She emphasizes, “Commit to lifelong learning – read, look for opportunities to engage and become involved, become an active member of a professional nursing organization, obtain a professional certification in your specialty, pursue advanced degrees in nursing. Never stop looking for ways to grow and make a difference.”
Shannon also encourages aspiring leaders to seek mentorship and take on leadership roles within their current positions. “Look for opportunities to engage with a mentor and be willing to provide support to a mentee as well. Get involved in opportunities to serve as a leader in your current role – be a chair/co-chair, step up on key committees,” she suggests. She is also committed to changing the dialogue around nursing. “We need to make sure nursing is portrayed as a rewarding and exciting field of healthcare,” she says. “Too often, negative aspects of the nursing profession are front and center, while an overwhelming number of aspects of our jobs are incredible and inspiring. People who choose nursing as their career are extremely motivated and will find it a highly rewarding experience.”
Ultimately, Shannon believes that staying curious and committed to excellence is key to success in pediatric nursing. “Strive to become an expert in your current area of practice. This will allow you to advocate for your patients and families as well as evidence-based professional nursing practice,” she concludes. Her advice highlights the importance of dedication, curiosity, and continuous growth in the nursing profession.
