To better understand how the neuroscience nurse role looks in different parts of the world, we are interviewing nurses about their work and life.
Pat Lane, an accomplished healthcare executive with more than a decade of experience in hospital leadership was spotlighted by WFNN as a neuroscience nurse to know. At Inova Neurosciences in Falls Church, Virginia, she holds responsibility for implementing and managing administrative and operational functions across neurology, neurosurgery, neuroscience nursing, and neurological research and education while also serving a two-year appointment as the President of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses.
Prior to re-joining Inova in 2020, she was Administrative Director of Neuroscience and Emergency Medical Services Outreach, Bon Secours Richmond Health Care System for 10 years.
Did you need special education or certification to have this position?
I have a Master of Business in Healthcare Administration degree from Regis University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from George Mason University and in biology from Virginia State University.
What is a typical day in your life?
There is no day that is a like! With exception of Tuesday which is dedicated to neuroscience leadership and education. On this day we start with leadership meeting with our program chairs of our 32 programs and the administrative team. Then we have several strategic meetings and educational offerings for our neurosurgery residents and team members.
I am incharge of strategic growth and development. I work with everyone to support our neuroscience program. The facility closest to where I live is 20 minutes from me and the longest is 90 minutes (dependent on traffic). I am not an early bird unless I have to be! I like the evening shift from when I was a 3pm-11pm nurse and usually leave by 6:30 pm. My role involves both inpatient and outpatient neuroscience services to include Neurosurgery, Neurology and Neurovascular services so I am all over the place with our 5 acute hospitals and 4 major ambulatory offices.
What is the most rewarding part of doing your work?
I still love seeing my team grow and seeing great patient outcomes. Lately, the hardest part of this role has been finding the appropriate workforce to assist with our strategy to grow the program.
If you would like to nominate a neuroscience nurse for this Spotlight series, please complete our contact form.