Navigating Modern Nursing Leadership Challenges and Styles
School
NorQuest College**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
NFDN 2800
Subject
Nursing
Date
Dec 12, 2024
Pages
11
Uploaded by ChancellorOkapi4778
Contemporary Challenges to Nursing LeadershipShirley BelmesNorthern Lakes CollegeNFDN 2800TeacherJanuary 20, 2023
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO NURSING2IntroductionIn this paper, I discuss leadership, leadership styles, the results of my self-assessment,and what those imply in my actual practice. These discussions are relevant since leadership isan evolving and demanding field in nursing that calls for motivating role models and leaders. It is crucial in healthcare organizations to deliver effective and efficient care and produce favorable outcomes for staff members, patients, and the workplace. What is Nursing Leadership?According to Cummings (2021), leadership is an activity of human engagement and a relationship experience founded on trust, communication, inspiration, action, and servanthood, and in the context of the nursing profession, it is explored to improve the information, abilities, and skills nurses need to enable clinical and administrative results while dealing with people in various scenarios, locations, and sites. The 2013 Canadian Standard Practice for Licensed Practical Nurses explains that LPNs (licensed professional nurses) should develop and practice leadership through self-awareness and reflection, dedication to personal and professional development, and advocacy for the highest healthcarequality. To develop a culture of collaboration and teamwork in the healthcare industry, we need visionary leaders committed to long-term goals who convey those goals to their staff, which can only be addressed if nurses have access to training and programs that will provide them with the right skills and knowledge on leadership in nursing Cummings (2021).Importance of Leadership in NursingGaron (2018) asserts that nurse leaders are at the heart of change and innovation in the healthcare system to provide quality care; hence, they need to have not only the skills but also the motivation to spark and manage change and innovation effectively. The ability to lead is an essential skill for nurses as their general responsibilities include establishing contact with their equals, dealing with their subordinates and guiding them, mediating
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO NURSING3conflicts, resolving issues by weighing various alternatives, allocating scarce resources appropriately, and taking risks and initiatives (Garon, 2018).Leadership Style in Nursing LeadershipA cross-sectional survey in Canada conducted by Czariki et al. (2018) revealed that nurses' leadership self-efficacy is essential to their motivation and intention to pursue a leadership career, which necessitates leadership development, leadership assessment, and continuing education programs in emotional intelligence. Leadership styles vary today and include democratic, autocratic, Laissez-Faire, strategic, transformational, transactional, coaching, bureaucratic, and situational (Becker, 2022).Democratic leadership also called participative or facilitative leadership, allows a leader to make decisions after a discussion with all the group members, considering all their points (Becker, 2022). It encourages inclusive participation but may take time and resources to reach a consensual decision (Becker, 2022). On the other hand, autocratic leadership allows a leader to make decisions, especially in critical situations, without consultation from team members, which can often cause conflict within the organization. However, when appropriately implemented, this leadership style can produce focused and effective solutions (Becker, 2022). Laissez-Faire Leadership, also called delegative or hands-off leadership, provides freedom to team members to call the shots, while authorities only intervene when the situations call for it (Becker, 2022). This type of leadership creates a relaxed and open environment but may also cause problems when inexperienced team members are given the chance to make significant decisions (Becker, 2022). Strategic leadership is centered on planning and projecting a vision for the team, which is beneficial for organizations that employ visionaries but also face the risk of going overboard in terms of risking resources for the sake of a vision (Becker, 2022). Meanwhile, transformational leadership is focused on
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO NURSING4enriching employees to acquire their full potential but can be a disadvantage when the organization loses sight of employees’ preferences and welfare at the expense of continuous learning (Becker, 2022).Transactional leadership possesses a system of negotiating success for rewards amongemployees, wherein the team is focused on achieving the goal for the reward or consequence at stake, whereas coaching leadership, or conscious leadership, is driven by efforts to enhanceemployees further to be independent critical thinkers, that may often consume a lot of time and resources to accomplish(Becker, 2022). Bureaucratic leadership puts rules and standards at the center of making decisions, which they can generate with or without considering the entire team’s input, thus eliminating any subjectivity on favoritism but can come off as controlling to some people (Becker, 2022). Finally, situational leadership is adaptive to the needs of the team or organization and makes the necessary changes, which puts much-appreciated value on shared insights but can disrupt the team’s long-term goals (Becker, 2022).These styles determine how leaders strategize and plan to achieve their goals while also managing their team's well-being and overall function. For instance, transformational leadership is essential for enhancing patient safety and raising nurses' job satisfaction (Garon,2018). Using an appropriate leadership style that fosters development in healthcare practices is necessary. Still, it should generally include an ability to envision the change needed, reflections on the issues inherent in the change, positive communication skills, and the abilityto promote a culture that encourages creativity and change and showing that they can walk the talk (Garon, 2018).Importance of Delegation in LeadershipDelegation involves the workload distribution to the team members (Skinner, 2022). It allows the leader to take a supervisory position, managing the team members as they
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO NURSING5conduct and execute the tasks delegated to them. In the long run, the process of delegation provides benefits, including:improving the team’s productivity by saving time in finishing taskshelping team members identify their strengths and weaknesses and learn new informationcultivating trust within the teammaking the entire team perform more efficientlyImportance of Communication in LeadershipThe process of communicating is defined as the exchange of information (Leading Effectively, 2022). It’s an important element of leadership since leaders must communicate effectively with their team to have everyone on the same page. Therefore, effective communication is essential in effective leadership since the core of leading comes from establishing clear team goals and intentions. In addition, effective communication creates an engaging work environment, builds trust, encourages transparency, promotes collaboration, and even trains team members to become leaders themselves (Andreev, 2022). All of these things make a team more effective in its task completion.Self-assessment Results, Implication, and Reflection Based on the Enneagram personality test, I am a Helper who always lends a hand and is motivated to be loved and needed (Booth, 2022). In my nursing philosophy, I noted that I am inclined to care and empathize with others. Caring for others feels natural to me, like a second skin. Since the nursing profession also involves the delivery of care most of the time, the results are comforting and validating. It’s great to know that my core is to provide care, which ensures that I wouldn’t find it hard to help my patients when I’m already on the field. After all, the natural ability to care is an excellent entry point to nursing, and all that’s left for
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO NURSING6me to focus on is learning the knowledge, skills, and techniques required to do my tasks as a practical nurse.However, as there are always two sides to a coin, the major disadvantage to having this leadership style is the tendency to neglect my own needs and place others’ needs before mine. It can be alarming, considering that this trait can put me at risk of exhaustion and burnout in the long run, but the redeeming factor is that I can see that with this leadership style, I can easily build personal relationships with my workmates, which is an excellent thing that I am looking forward to since the nursing profession can sometimes be exhausting due to the demanding and lengthy duration of work. It may also come at the expense of ignoring my own needs or assuming that I know better about what others need (Booth, 2022).This leadership style also meant having the constant need for approval, which can be great as I see myself working hard to produce excellent results. I believe this will always be appreciated in the nursing practice. However, if I ever land a supervisory role, I need to ensure that I am working with the best intentions and motivations, I also anticipate that I needto work on having the desire to be liked and start learning to make decisions and actions based on what is proper and ethical, not just because of the motivation to be liked.ConclusionGiven the current loss of front-line nursing roles and seats in nursing schools corresponding with the shortages and decline in nurse morale still pervasive in Canadian nursing, there is a need for effective leadership in healthcare facilities (Canadian Nurses Association, 2018). Leadership is a skill everyone needs, not just those in positions of responsibility. It is not sufficient to only care for a patient's well-being when managing them. Additionally, we can positively influence them by taking a leadership stance, particularly in self-care and promoting their rehabilitation.
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO NURSING7ReferencesAndreev, I. (2022, February 2). Leadership communication. Valamis. https://www.valamis.com/hub/leadership-communicationBecker, B. (2022, December 26). Leadership Styles: The 11 Most Common & How to Find Your Style [Quiz]. HubSpot. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/leadership-stylesBoamah, S. A., Spence-Laschinger, H. K., Wong, C., & Clarke, S. (2018). Effect of Transformational Leadership on Job Satisfaction and Patient Safety Outcomes. Nursing Outlook, 66(2), 180-189.Booth, J. (2022, December 20). 9 Enneagram Personality Types: Strengths, Weaknesses AndMore. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/enneagram-types/College of Licensed Practical Nurse of Alberta. (2013). Standards of Practice For Licensed Practical Nurse. https://www.clpna.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/doc_CCPNR_CLPNA_Standards_of_Practice.pdfCollege of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (2020). Competency Profile for Licensed Practical Nurse(5th ed.).Cziraki, K. (2020). Leader Empowering Behaviour as a Predictor of Nurse and Patient Outcomes [Doctoral dissertation, The University of Western Ontario] Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/6815Canadian Nurses Association. (2018). Position Statement on Nursing Leadership. https://hl-prod-ca-oc-download.s3-ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/CNA/2f975e7e-4a40-45ca-863c-5ebf0a138d5e/UploadedImages/documents/Nursing_Leadership_position_statement.pdf
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO NURSING8Cullen, L., Hanrahan, K., Neis, N., Farrington, M., Laffoon, T., & Dawson, C. (2018). Evidence-Based Practices: Strategies for Nursing Leaders. In Leadership and Nursing Care Management(6th ed., pp. 260-282). Cummings, G. G., Lee, S., Tate, K., Penconek, T., Micaroni, S., Paanen, T., & Chatterjee, G.(2021). The Essentials of Nursing Leadership: A Systematic Review of Factors and Educational interventions Influencing Nursing Leadership. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 115. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103842Garon, M. (2018). Change and Innovation. In Leadership and Nursing Care Management (6th ed., pp. 33-46). https://books.google.com.ph/books?hl=en&lr=&id=OTg1DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR1&dq=leadership+in+nursing&ots=QrHwqHlkRz&sig=RzSt6PF6go6M7p9nKAkNlVf4cPQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=leadership%20in%20nursing&f=falseLamb, A., Misener, R. M., Lukosius, D. B., & Latimer, M. (2018). Describing the Leadership Capabilities of Advanced Practice Nurses Using a Qualitative DescriptiveStudy. Nursing Open, 5(3), 400-413. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/nop2.150Skinner, T. (2022, January 25). Delegation in leadership: How to effectively delegate as a leader. Rhythm Systems. https://www.rhythmsystems.com/blog/leadership-skill-how-to-delegate-effectivelyThe Enneagram personality test. (n.d.). Truity. https://www.truity.com/test-results/enneagram/18223/40900036
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO NURSING9AppendicesUpdated Personal Philosophy of Practical NursingNurse is a word that has evolved. A nurse tends to the patient’s needs and provides them with the highest quality of care, and is the most significant figure in hospitals and other medical settings; for without nurses, no one would focus on the patients' and their families' needs and wants (Romaniuk & Reporter, 2022). I feel most fulfilled when I am helping and caring for others, and my nursing attitude is centered on compassion and helping in need. Empathy is an aspect I hope to implement in my nursing practice to serve my patients better. I desire to work in a healthy environment where open communication is encouraged.Nurses should focus on holistic, patient-centered care and a caring and compassionatepatient relationship that is not only concerned with a patient’s physical well-being but also with the patient’s emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being. In addition, a holistic view of the patient allows the nurse to connect with patients on a relational level in which nurses get to understand patients' values, and this kind of practice separates physician care from nursing care. Plus, nursing is touching people’s lives, not with your hands or eyes but with your heart.The nursing profession is based on patient care, which is indeed very precious. Any individual can provide care for sick people, but it is a special skill to care for a person in needwith your whole heart. That is what makes nursing a special and meaningful profession.My primary role is to pass my License Practical Nurse program. To achieve that, it is important that I maintain satisfactory academic progress and commit myself to learn the hugefields of nursing; so that I can be able to attain knowledge and practical skills that define a successful nurse. Seek employment in my desirable job as an LPN. This will enable me to gain hands-on clinical experience, practice professionalism, cultivate my passion for whichever field I want to specialize in, and translate the theoretical knowledge learned in
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO NURSING10class into a more practical field. Essentially, I want to obtain practical surgical skills, which I believe are critical for delivering safe and effective patient care.Finding a career mentor is also among my goals, someone who can provide me necessary guidance and advice to help me achieve my long-term goals and help me make meaningful career networks which is an excellent way of finding employment opportunities. Iunderstand that mentorship entails dealing with whatever approach or leadership style my mentor takes to manage our knowledge-sharing process. Regardless, I shall do my best to make the experience worthwhile by maximizing the learning, knowing that nurses in leadership positions can build and expand my knowledge of evidence-based practice in care delivery to improve patient and organizational outcomes (Cullen et al., 2018). If the time comes to take my turn as a mentor, I shall utilize it to be likewise productive and highlight the importance of nursing leadership, that even informal leadership at the clinical level may still be a valuable resource in a setting that deems it underutilized (Boamah, 2018).Personally, my main goal is to provide excellent care to my clients. My next goal is tocommit myself to life-long learning by taking courses, obtaining certifications and training, reading medical books, and keeping myself updated on technology, as I believe education doesn’t end in nursing to enrich my capabilities, enhance my skills, and prevent medication errors. My next goal is to develop my interpersonal skills by looking for a positive outlook since the client and staff will prefer it if I am optimistic at work, taking control of my emotions more, remaining an active listener, being more assertive, and practicing empathy.
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES TO NURSING11Assessment Results