Sisterhood Spotlight

Please tell us a bit about yourself and your career. How did you get to where you are today?

I am a nurse’s nurse- I love taking care of nurses who care for the community. I started my healthcare career as a Patient Care Tech while attending nursing school at VCU. Upon graduating with a BSN, I immediately enrolled in the MSN program while working primarily as a Surgical Trauma nurse. After a few years working at the bedside, my journey shifted to a focus on Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality. I realized my passion for ensuring all patients received safe healthcare, free from errors or harm. I quickly became nationally certified in these areas (CPHQ & CPPS) and was progressively promoted into roles where I was able actively to expand my influence on care delivery. Just three years ago, I accepted the role of Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Bon Secours Southside Medical Center. This role has been exceptionally fulfilling for me for several reasons- it allows me to live out the Bon Secours mission of caring for the underserved, as Petersburg has been identified as the unhealthiest city in the state. Additionally, this role truly fills my cup as it combines my two passions- caring for nurses and promoting patient safety. No matter what role I’ve been in, I have always sought growth opportunities. I knew that I wanted to advance in my career and therefore would observe and assess those within my organization to identify roles I could envision myself holding one day. I would connect with these role models, learn from them, and leverage their influence as I worked to develop my own strengths.

What advice do you have for Virginia’s Women+girls interested in a healthcare related profession?

Healthcare is not an easy field to work in. Don’t misunderstand, there are some remarkable days- seeing a mom deliver a healthy baby or watching your team meet a Quality goal that will result in saved lives. But there are also some grueling days. Many patients seeking healthcare are receiving life-changing diagnoses, many are scared to be in the unfamiliar hospital environment, most feel vulnerable. Anyone working in healthcare is undoubtedly impacted by the burdens of others, and likely find themselves thinking about the tragedies and the unfortunate circumstances long after their shifts end. My advice for women/girls who are considering a career in healthcare is to do so for the right reasons. Ask yourself “am I motivated by doing good? Is my cup filled by pouring out compassionately? Am I comfortable caring for-not to be confused with providing care for- those whose beliefs are different than mine”? The answers to each of these questions should be a resounding yes. Healthcare (nursing) is truly a calling.

Finding joy in work is also important. Someone once helped me see how important it is to have a best friend at work- someone you can relate to, laugh with, and even cry with. This can make the best days better and the worse days more bearable. I’ve seen just how important this is and offer it as an additional piece of advice.

Who or what is your greatest inspiration?

My mom was a Registered Nurse. Before the days of uniform color standardization for healthcare workers, my mom wore the best scrubs! She had stylish scrubs for every single holiday, all different colors and even characters like our then favorite, Tweety Bird. In the late 1990’s, my mom was a victim of medical error. She never worked as a nurse again. Fast forward to when I was 18, having just lost my mother and pregnant with my first daughter, I knew it was nursing that would allow me to fulfill my purpose. Nursing would grant me the opportunity to work to make the industry that contributed to my family’s suffering, much better for the generations to come. My mom inspired me and now I live every day to do the same for my two daughters.

While I’ve spent my adult life without my mom, my dad has been such a source of both encouragement and strength. Having not graduated college himself, he worked his way into leadership and has given me some of the best career advice like “believe in yourself, even when facing challenges”. Often, he would simplify that by saying “you’ve got this”. His pride in me inspires me every day.

What would you tell your younger self just getting started in her higher educational pursuits/career?

There are so many things I wish I could go back and say to my younger self! Don’t be afraid to fail! Embrace failure as a steppingstone to success.

Take risks and pursue your passions even if the chair you’re sitting in seems a bit too big for you. 

Trust the process. 

And most of all, Lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6). Keep your faith!

What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them in your life and career?

I will call out two challenges I have faced and overcome.

I advanced relatively quickly in my career. The majority of those I’ve been entrusted to lead are older and sometimes have more experience in healthcare than I. This has led to a sometimes-self-imposed need to always perform well and work with intentionality to demonstrate that I truly belonged in the role I was so honored to serve in. Ultimately, this has kept me on my toes, forced me to stay prepared and to invest in myself. No matter what, I remain humble as a leader because I understand that you don’t inspire teams by showing them how amazing you are. You inspire teams by showing them how amazing they are.

When assessed locally and even nationally, it is apparent that diversity in executive healthcare leadership is lacking. As a minority, I have found it challenging to identify mentors who look like me and who have traveled the same trajectory I am on. I overcome this by cultivating relationships with senior leaders in any space I am given the opportunity and then staying in touch with them. I reach out with scenarios and ask for guidance or feedback, invite them to challenge my performance and to share their relative experiences. Additionally, I surround myself with those who are ambitious, visionary, and full of integrity, inspiration, and boldness, as they keep me grounded and remind me that despite any difference we may have, we have so much more in common. I am committed to being a coach and mentor to the next generation and find joy in offering them guidance, nuggets of wisdom and things I wish I’d known.

What do you wish Virginia’s Women+girls knew about the nursing profession?

I want women and girls to know nursing is a profession filled with opportunities for personal and professional growth. It offers a real chance to make a difference in people’s lives every single day, by providing compassionate care and support to those in need. Nursing is a profession that values empathy, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. Women play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare as they are at the forefront of local and even global health challenges. Whether it’s responding to pandemics, providing disaster relief, or advocating for public health initiatives, the impact of nurses is profound and limitless. Overall, I hope women and girls recognize the diverse and impactful opportunities available to them within the nursing profession and feel empowered to pursue their aspirations in healthcare.

About Dr. Octavia Reed Wynn 

Dr. Octavia Reed Wynn has served as the Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Bon Secours Southside Medical Center in Petersburg, VA since March 2021. Octavia is a native of Sussex County and attended Sussex Public Schools. She earned both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Virginia Commonwealth University. A Registered Nurse (RN) for over 15 years, Octavia also holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Averett University and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) from Liberty University. Octavia is three times nationally certified, holding the prestigious Nurse Executive Advanced Certification (NEA-BC), Certification in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), and Certification in Patient Safety (CPPS). Recently, Octavia was awarded as a Virginia Nurse’s Association Top 40 under 40 nurse for 2023. Her career passion includes the prevention of harm to patients and leading & supporting nurses who care for patients. Octavia is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated where she serves on the International Awareness and Involvement committee. She is the First Lady of Emmanuel Worship Center in Richmond, VA where she leads parishioners as they journey in faith. Octavia is married to the love of her life, John, and is the proud mother of two daughters- Tori and Sydney Grace. Octavia enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants and cuisines, volunteering with her church and sorority sisters, shopping, and spending time with her family. Octavia’s favorite scripture is Psalms 46:5- God is within her, she will not fall.