Director of Nursing Receives Award for Excellence

San Leandro’s John George Psychiatric Hospital announced on Monday that Director of Nursing, Judy Linn, will be receiving the annual Award for Excellence in Leadership from the American Psychiatric Nurse Association at the 27th Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas on Oct. 9 through 12.

The APNA awards nurses who show excellence across the span of psychiatric mental health nursing practices. This includes leadership, research, innovation and education. The Award for Excellence in Leadership is considered to be the highest form of recognition within the psychiatric mental health nursing community.

Linn has worked to improve staff skills in group leadership, alternative interventions and behavioral care planning — which has led to a growth in patient satisfaction and staff participation.

"People are invested in ideas that they generate. The leader's job is to create an environment where ideas flow and are shared and appreciated. A place where it is okay to try it out and regroup if it is not perfect the first time," Linn said. "Nurses are problem solvers and thinkers. Once they understand the why and the value to them and their patients, decisions get made and our collective effort grows."