Wellpower: the foundation of innovation

The financial and human costs of compassion fatigue and burnout can be devastating. In the haste to "get more done," are we hardwiring our caregivers for disaster? The lifestyle choices we make and the degree of self-care we practice are paramount to not only our individual quality and quantity of life and our immediate circle of influence but holds the profound potential to create quantum change within our health care system. For nurses, who are the most influential force for health care reform in America, the time to emulate wellness has never been more critical. By creating healthy habits for ourselves, we flourish as ambassadors of self-care for our patients, families, colleagues, and communities. As we move forward with health care reform, the most powerful influence that we, as nurse leaders can wield is to practice regular self-care, healthy lifestyles, and preventative medicine.