Cynthia Solomon-Ramos, MS, RN, ACNP-BC

Director, National NOVA Board

NOVA Chapter 420 Secretary/Treasurer, Central Virginia VA HCS, Richmond, VA

Glenda A. Tisdale, DNP, RN

Chief Nurse of Surgical and Specialty Services

NOVA Chapter 274, VA Medical Center, New Hampshire

Dr. Glenda A. Tisdale is currently the Chief Nurse of Surgical and Specialty Services at the Manchester VA Medical Center in New Hampshire. She launched into this new position in 2020 amid the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a seasoned nurse since the 1990’s and with over 13 years of experience in the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) she accepted this new challenge with a positive, forward-thinking perspective. 

Dr. Tisdale acknowledges that her transformational leadership style has been instrumental in maintaining the strength of her nursing staff during these unprecedented times and has helped guide the department to a higher level of nursing. Through this model, she leads by example to motivate her staff. She values open rapport to help change the system, boost morale, and achieve well-defined goals creatively as a team.

Dr. Tisdale notes that her leadership role has developed and enhanced through a culmination of clinical nursing practice experiences, administrative prowess, and the advancement of her academic pursuits. Her wealth of nursing practice started with a general Medical-Surgical background as a foundation. She expanded her clinical knowledge base with experiences in Mental Health and Emergency Nursing creating a strong cornerstone which she utilized to broaden her career in health care. Her advances in education and academia have allowed her to better understand the need for a global perspective to have a far-reaching impact within nursing practice. Her ability to see the “big” picture and use of critical thinking skills were honed during her educational journey. These are essential tools that are required to be a great communicator in the workplace and in implementing her transformational leadership style.  Dr. Tisdale credits Ms. Loretta Penn, Associate Professor at George Washington University, as being her role model and mentor providing guidance and encouragement throughout her doctorate program. 

Dr. Tisdale expresses that every good leader should possess the ability to show compassion in any situation. Her resolve to continue cultivating her own leadership development includes active participation in leadership and management training sessions, professional networking with other healthcare leaders, and collaboration and team building between all levels in the DVA. Given the immensity of the DVA, she was asked how she tries to prevent the “institution” from dampening the “inspiration”. Dr. Tisdale remains true to her nursing model stating that keeping staff connected to one another, providing opportunities for open communication to share ideas freely, and encouraging shared decision making allows for a more engaged workforce. She would advise those just starting their first leadership position to take every opportunity to learn new skills, listen to others ideas and opinions, and keep an open mind. As a leader, you will be confronted with conflict and divergent opinions. These situations must be addressed expeditiously using emotional intelligence, professionalism, and clear communication. 

Dr. Tisdale reflects favorably on her accomplishments thus far and the many more to be forthcoming.  She credits the DVA as it has provided a multitude of opportunities allowing her to enhance her leadership skills. Dr. Tisdale’s experiences as a nurse leader in the VA have shown her how essential it is to be in a safe work environment with staff who have a common professional goal of caring for our Veterans. 

Dr. Tisdale also commented on the importance of being a NOVA member. She states the NOVA mission to educate, communicate and advocate for professional nurses gives her inspiration to continue learning and passing that inspiration on to other nurse professionals. Nursing has gone through many notable changes since the 1990’s when she started her nursing career. NOVA has been a platform for change and gives nurses a voice at the “proverbial table”.  Nursing's contribution to the decision making process directly affects morale and the thriving advancement of our profession. This is why NOVA is important to her and it is an organization of which she wants to continue to be a part.

The nurse executive role is a specialty with a broad scope and boundless depth. The positioning of nurses within leadership is essential to the success of each VA medical center and facility throughout the DVA.

On behalf of NOVA, I would like to thank Dr. Glenda A. Tisdale for taking the time to answer our leadership questions and providing insight into her specialty practice.