- What does “Nursing Leadership” mean to you, and how did the meaning change (or stay the same) after viewing the Module content?
Nursing leadership is not just a concept much broader that is management, unfortunately most of the time the terms are often used interchangeably. Where I work usually we call our mangers the leader, I am learning that not necessary true not every nurse manger is a good leader, and those who demonstrate leadership qualities are not necessarily mangers. I am learning that nurses can demonstrate leadership skills at any level of experience and at any stage of their careers. I do not need to be I supervisor or manger to be a leader. When I work productively within the unit, when I support coworker or serve as preceptors for new nurses I am helping and expanding my function as leader.
Anytime I speak up about a problem, I am demonstrating leadership skills – particularly if I am advocating for patient safety or high-quality care. I don’t have to be a manager to assert the need for changes. As I go about my daily duties, numerous opportunities exist for me to question the validity of current nursing practices at the hospital, and to use evidence to make the care I provide more effective. As a nurse, I should continually ask the question.
- Describe the Leadership behaviors you have observed in yourself and/or colleagues. Could a behavior be modified to create a more effective leadership strategy?
There are many different ideas about how a person become a good leader, despite years of research on this subject, no one idea has emerged as the clear winner. Maybe because there are multiple qualities and behaviors important in different situations. I think that integrity, perseverance and optimism are some of the quality I value and try to practice the most.
But I view myself as very good follower and as we learn from the module followers are important and not passive role to assume. On the contrary, the most valuable follower is a skilled, self-directed employee, one who participates actively in setting the group’s direction, invests his or her time and energy in work of the group, thinks critically, and advocates for new ideas.
I hope we all have great class.
Thank you.
You made some great points that I didn’t really think about such as in different situations, we are all leaders when speaking up about a certain issue. Also, even though I mentioned that most of my supervisors are good leaders, I would have to agree with you when not all of them should be in those situations. Thanks for sharing; great post!
Fitzpatrick and Glazer do a very good job at explaining the difference between managers and leaders. One of my favorite parts of the literature was when they talked about transformational leaders. FHSU is helping us develop into these through the BSN program which is so important. You mention being a follower and it made me think about myself. I can go either way, a follower or a leader depending on the situation. Both are definitely important in their own way!
Glazer, G., & Fitzpatrick, J. J. (2012). Nursing leadership from the outside in. New York: Springe