The Florence Prescription: From Accountability to Ownership

by Joe Tye, Dick Schwab (Contributor)

The Florence Prescription is a heartwarming fictional story with a powerful real world message for today s hospitals. In helping Memorial Medical Center build a culture of ownership, Carol Jean Hawtrey with the help of Florence Nightingale create a roadmap that every hospital can follow to create a more positive and productive workplace and a build a sustainable source of competitive advantage. In the form of a business parable, the story shows readers why the invisible architecture of core values, corporate culture, and emotional climate is more important than bricks and mortar for creating patient, physician and employee loyalty, and describes eight essential characteristics of a culture of ownership. Dozens of practical strategies for fostering a more positive and productive organization are woven into the story.

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership

211 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

oe is Founder and Head Coach of Values Coach (www.ValuesCoach.com), which provides training and consulting on values and culture for hospital and corporate clients. He is a best-selling author and frequent speaker for organization and association events. His books include All Hands on Deck: 8 Essential Lessons for Building a Culture of Ownership and The Florence Prescription: From Accountability to Ownership.

Joe also created the 60-module course on The Twelve Core Action Values, the world’s most comprehensive course on personal values and values-based life and leadership skills. Through the Values Collaborative, more than 500 people in more than 80 different organizations (as of this writing) have become Certified Values Coach Trainers (CVC-T) who share the course with coworkers (and in some cases reach out to a larger community). Paul Utemark, CEO of Fillmore County Hospital, said that as a result of this training: “I got a whole new team and didn’t have to change any of the people.”

Joe is an engaging and entertaining speaker who gives more than 100 presentations per year. He consistently earns “best of show” evaluation ratings and has many repeat clients. You can check Joe’s speaking topics and calendar and view the complete video of his keynote presentation for the annual leadership conference of Select Medical, America’s premier provider of rehabilitation services, at: http://www.valuescoach.com/speaking.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

hokey story, but good lessons.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

read for work but a great read. very thought provoking and great inspiration for my issues and trends in nursing essay. first book ive finished in a week in a long time!!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Florence Prescription" was a lovely read that did well at putting useful information in an interesting fictional setting. I read it a while ago and have found myself on multiple occasions reprocessing and utilizing the processes in the book (though on a significantly smaller scale, I'm no CEO). The baseline differentiation between accountability and ownership is something I've actually been using to assist my mental health and interactions with my family and home.

I did have one major complaint with the book, however: I didn't like the lack of acknowledgment to systemic issues that would/could change the whole narrative. He looked at how healthcare is currently structured as a whole within the US and decided to base his book around the concept that none of that would/could be changed. To me this seems somewhat ignorant. I also think that talking about changing interpersonal reactions to greater issues without talking about changing the issue leads to short term fixes instead of long term healing. For example, (spoiler?) he talks about the impact of debt on healthcare workers without talking about the debt system, which is especially relevant when so much debt is made because 1) people got the degrees necessary to be in these fields, and 2) healthcare workers may need to utilize the hospital as a patient. Many of my coworkers and myself have had issue with our hospital because of the debt we've incurred through their services. This would have been a wonderful opportunity to talk about the greater debt structure and what can/should be done about it.

Anyway, that was my main issue. Overall the book was still very good and informative, even if the author was wearing rose-colored glasses when writing. It's nice to see a pinker world.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as part of research for a master's thesis. An easy read and some really good ideas to improve healthcare. Whether they can be implemented in the current system is still up in the air, but someone trying to be constructive, positive and offering solutions is greatly welcome. I read so much material about what's wrong and offering blame but not solutions in my research this was a nice change of pace. The book is about going back to first principles, using Florence Nightengale as a model in the context of a fictional attempt to improve things at at a hospital. This device helped keep it from being dry and lecture-like, which I really appreciated. I saw in the other reviews that a lot of nursing staff are having to read it. My clients are receivers of medical care, not caregivers, but I am recommending it so they'll get a better understanding of what nurses are enduring these days.

[Emelia Orellana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book a couple of days ago and I had to let it marinate to give my thoughts. I think that is the overarching purpose of this book: to cause a sense of turmoil and analyse one’s own life and patient interactions and see if you are a part of those that are the negative complainers or if you are a Lady with the Lamp. I recommend that any person who is in healthcare read this, incredibly enlightening. And boldens and empowers me to be the nurse that walks away from gossip and complaining, even when it feels like it’ll make me a part of the group. I much rather be the part of the conversation to change. Not a conversation of pointing fingers and useless interactions. I believe that we can do better, this book isn’t a blueprint as much as it is a way for us to reflect on ways we can move forward. What would Florence Nightingale think of our abilities in Nursing if she were alive today? I think she would want us to be part of that change.

[Candice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I skimmed through the end of this book. The "story line" got old, not very interesting. I did however leave with the understanding that I need to take ownership of my position at my job if I'm going to be happy and see a change in culture.

[Selena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cheesy writing. Didn't find the concepts overwhelming helpful

[Amy Beyrle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loaned this book by a nurse friend. A little cheesy, but a lot of really good thoughts about improving healthcare and the workplace.

[Nikki Swiney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting perspective for the story, but good message

[Beckie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lisa Archer gave this to the NEC team for nurses’ week 2023. I read it on the way to Peru. It wasn’t good.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with those that say it’s a bit cheesy but it has a good message. Not only for health care but any business or organization, including churches!

[Alyssa A · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t remember much about it other than it was giving me corporate brainwashing vibes.

[Amy J Sabado · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book all older nurses need to read and reread to remind us why we chose our profession.

[Melsene G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a unique book where the famous British nurse Florence Nightingale shows up in the present day and gives advice to a medical consultant. First, I learned some facts about Ms. Nightingale that I didn't know. Second, the story lines were rather moving and relatable. The authors suggest how to change the culture of a fictional medical center. Eight items: commitment, engagement, passion, initiative, stewardship, belonging, fellowship, and pride. There is a great self empowerment pledge that I plan to download and print out and possibly frame. Seven parts to this pledge that can be used for daily living-not just in healthcare. I plan to share this with loved ones as well. I would highly recommend this fast read to healthcare professionals and others who are interested in learning how to improve the culture of a large organization. Well done! There are great references at the end too-and some free downloads.

[Doug Della pietra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Fictional setting that gives the reader an ability to absorb and feel the author's key points applied in a hospital setting with executive leaders and clinical staff. The book's premise: if Florence Nightingale was alive today, what would she do to improve healthcare and the patient experience!

I highly recommend for all in healthcare! Sets the stage for true healthcare reform on the front line!The Florence Prescription: From Accountability To Ownership

[Alice Persons · Rating 3 out of 5]

My department at Maine Medical Center was required to read this book as part of a new long-term initiative to improve our culture. I admit that I was skeptical, having lived through many corporate exercises at a former job, including TQM, team-building, etc. The simplicity of this book and its program is appealing. Basically it is about taking responsibility for your own work and attitudes, and having pride in one's job and work place. It remains to be seen how well we can actually make it work.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a decent, somewhat inspiring book. I might be jaded from eating, sleeping, and breathing nursing. This was an assigned book for my Nursing Leadership class. I thought it was an easy and entertaining book for the most part, but there were too many cliche (sp?) moments with scripted nursing ideals. Again, I might just be tired of the constant nursing language in my life right now. I would probably enjoy this more if I had more of a life. :)

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit I eyerolled when our CNO handed out this book to each nurse for Nurses' Week. But I got a helluva lot more benefit from it than any pen or beach towel I ever got.

It speaks to me because it mirrors my own passion for nursing, but also opened my mind to a lot I had never thought of.

And it is far from Pollyanna in its suggestions. This book contains real life solutions for real life issues in nursing and in health care.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about taking accountability for your "attitude" at work. It is a lot about nursing, but applies to any position. If a company could follow the information in this book it certainly is a place I would love to work. Reads almost like a novel which makes it easy to read and holds your attention.

[Emily Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one for my internship. Very motivational, especially in a hospital setting. This text encourages people to take ownership in their work. Everyone should be invested in their work in order to make their place of employment the best possible business. Everyone should be invested in their job. Actually, it should be more than a job. It should be a passion!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

School read

I had to read this book for school. I appreciated the story line to make it an easy read, and I think the author makes some incredible points. It is a great read for anyone in leadership. The story was “make believe” and while I understand why the author did it, it made the story seem unreal, along with the hope of making changes.

[Tasha E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick but encouraging read! The hospital I work at now strongly emphasizes our core values and does so in a way that inspires ownership. It was very interesting to me to relate the ideas in this book to what my hospital does well and what it could do better with.

[Cheryl]

Had to read this one for work.

[Shelley Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend!! An easy read guide to changing the culture of a healthcare institution and commanding your own ship

[Nancy zesch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it...a lot!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for all of healthcare!!
Interesting read no matter what!!

[Emily Haase · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had to read this for work. My review: Der.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. The actual information in this book was great. Unfortunately the story and writing were terrible.

[Karen Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needed to read for work. Enjoyed Chapter 13 for the pickle pledge. Hard to do t try to every day.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this for work.