Nursing leadership involves inspiring others to become better. Every nurse does some form of leadership working together with Nurse Aids, LPNs, RNs, and patients/families. A leader provides education and demonstrates the changes that they are wanting to see. After viewing the module, I was able to expand my idea of what nursing leadership is. It involves nurses practicing our skills to the best that we can and leading change within our field (Fitzpatrick & Glazer, 2013). I agree with the characteristics of leadership described by Tichy & Devanna of trusting their own intuition, believing in people and attending to their needs, identifying and articulating their own values, not afraid to take risks, see themselves as change agents, are flexible and open to new ideas, and are disciplined, careful thinkers (as cited in Fitzpatrick & Glazer, 2013, p. 10). I think these seven characteristics provide a solid character for a leader because they are willing to listen to others, but they think about changes/actions before doing them. This allows a leader to foresee any problems that might arise and make better decisions. The most important aspect of leadership highlighted by Fitzpatrick & Glazer (2013) is a good leader takes care of other people. The basis of our career as nurses is to care for others and I like that it was included when talking about nursing leadership.
Leadership behaviors I have seen from colleagues include being careful thinkers, being goal oriented, and showing support to other nurses and encouraging personal development. There are certain colleagues that have inspired me to seek out knowledge and want to become the best nurse that I can be and that is the sentiment that a good leader inspires. From the assigned reading I know that leadership strategies vary and can be effectively changed. Leadership strategies rely on assessing if a behavior was unsuccessful or successful and seeing if it was effective or ineffective (Rigolosi, 2005). Being able to analyze one’s leadership style and assess a need for change is a key characteristic. A leader is not expected to be omniscient and Rigolosi (2005) does a great job stating that leaders are taught, they learn, and they develop. A leader grows along with his followers.
References
Fitzpatrick, J., & Glazer, G. (Eds.). (2013). Nursing leadership from the outside in. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.fhsu.edu
Rigolosi, E. L. M. E. J. (2005). Management and leadership in nursing and health care: an experiential approach, 2nd edition. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.fhsu.edu
I really enjoyed reading your post, and I like your views on nursing leadership. I think it is important that you mentioned how nurses should inspire others to be better. If all nurses can accomplish this, it proves great leadership! I think it is also important that you mentioned that leaders should demonstrate the changes they want to see. What an important concept. How can a nurse advocate for change but does not demonstrate the change personally? Great post!
I agree with the above post in that good leaders need to be able to share their vision. If you can’t get buy in from your leadership, then you have poor leadership.
My favorite of the characteristics listed would be to be flexible and open minded, disciplined and careful thinkers. I personally think that being flexible in nursing will get everyone far. It is a fast and ever changing field and getting stuck in a one way thought or way of doing something could lead to one not developing leadership qualities that are extremely valuable. Thanks for you post!
I completely agree with your description of a leader. I like how you said a leader provides education, demonstrates change, and grows along with his followers. I believe a leader is constantly growing and sharing that growth with his/her followers. Great post! Have a great semester!
Yes definitely. One should always be growing and not become stagnant.
I completely agree with your description of a leader. I like how you said a leader provides education, demonstrates change, and grows along with his followers. I believe a leader is constantly growing and sharing that growth with his/her followers. Great post! Have a great semester!