Reflections on a 40-Year Nursing Career: Lessons in Leadership and Growth
By: Janet Wirt MSN, RN, RNC-NIC, NE-BC, CPXP
A 40-year nursing career is a journey filled with unexpected roles, challenges, and invaluable experiences. Each transition builds upon the last, often preparing us for something greater without our realization. From bedside care to case management, discharge planning, school nursing, and eventually leadership, every role has shaped my professional path in ways I never anticipated.
In 2008, I stepped into a nursing leadership role—something I never imagined pursuing, let alone enjoying. Yet, leadership has exceeded my wildest dreams, allowing me to support and guide others in their careers. Leadership comes with challenges, and I wasn’t initially prepared for them. However, a friend’s belief in my potential sparked my journey, teaching me one of the most important lessons in leadership: it begins with believing in each other.
One of the greatest revelations in my career was the power of community. Finding a network of passionate nurse leaders who uplift and support one another transformed my approach to leadership. I found that Support in the Synova community and I continue to lean into them everyday as my roles evolved and got bigger. Surrounding myself with experienced mentors and colleagues helped me push boundaries while staying true to my personal purpose, values, and strengths. Leadership can feel isolating if you try to navigate it alone, but a strong support system makes all the difference.
A scripture that resonates deeply with my leadership experience is Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV): “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” This perfectly illustrates the strength found in connection and collaboration. True success in leadership comes not from going it alone but from fostering relationships that encourage growth, resilience, and shared wisdom.
So, how did I decide to retire? Throughout my leadership tenure, I achieved many milestones—earning an MSN, obtaining Nurse Executive and Patient Experience Certifications, and participating in the advisory committee for the Synova Advanced leadership Certification programs. Despite being busy and accomplished, I felt unsatisfied. Was I pursuing these achievements because I wanted them, or because I thought they were expected of me? At the Synova conference in 2024, I learned that it’s okay to say “NO.” This was a difficult lesson for me, as I have always feared disappointing others. However, I realized that these expectations were often self-imposed and not reflective of what drove my passion. By being honest with myself and others, I began to let go of tasks that didn’t bring me joy or make sense to me.
It was difficult at first, but I realized many of these pressures were self-imposed rather than real obligations. By being honest with myself, I was able to let go of tasks that no longer brought me fulfillment and opened to door for me to ask “what do I want to do next in my career?” It also was freeing to think I could choose a different path. Lori Gunther once told me that the path we start on isn’t usually the path we end on. There are so many forks in the road and life experiences can help us see a new and different reality for our careers. One day I thought I am ready to put my personal needs and wants first. As a nurse leader most of the time it is your team, the patients that you are responsible for or the organization that comes first. Every leadership role job description says 24/7 accountability. I was ready to be done with that unobtainable expectation.
Ultimately, my decision to retire from being a Manager of a large NICU came from a desire to be truly helpful. In my corporate healthcare role, I no longer felt I was making the impact I once did. This internal struggle was a daily battle, but with the support of trusted colleagues and mentors, I found clarity. Now, as I step away from my formal leadership position, I do so with confidence, knowing that my purpose and ability to contribute remain intact. Retirement isn’t an end—it’s a new beginning, one where I can continue to make a difference with renewed intention and authenticity.
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The material presented in this blog represents the opinion of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of Synova Associates. Synova Associates does not endorse any specific products or organizations but strives to connect its industry partners with leaders interested in product/educational innovation.
