Combining Nurse Leader with Advocacy
There is a peculiar weakness and strength that each and everybody, individuals, groups, organizations and professions possess. This noble nursing profession is not excluded from it. Strength is the capability of being resilient in achieving something, which includes cultural quality, compassion, sensitivity and the capacity to build relationship and connection with various labor forces in a multinational background to accomplish set goals. Likewise, weakness is the opposite of strength, which is lack of strength that resulted in incompetence to achieve set goals.
According to Sanford (2012), advocacy has been reflected as a most important part of nursing practice since 1973. The act of supporting a plan or suggestion is called advocacy. Nursing practice has been impacted in several ways with advocacy and effect politically, academically and socially in aspects nursing practice (Bly, 2014). On a daily bases, nurses needs to advocate for safe and healthy work environment, which requires essential strategies and skills to be able to achieve. Nurses’ inventory tool is a useful tool to assess nursing growth. In this paper, the purpose is to appraise and address the issues concerning the strengths and weaknesses related personal and professional accountability, career planning, personal journey disciplines, and reflective practice reference behaviors/tenets with the use of “Nurse Manager Skills Inventory Tool”, how to use current leadership skill set to advocate for change in a workplace, one personal goal for leadership growth and implementation plan to achieve the goal.
Personal and Professional Accountability
According to American Association of Critical-Care Nursing (2006), stated in the nurse...
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Conclusion
Sky is the limit for whoever that makes career advancement the priority. Others are motivated and encouraged by the service of their leaders from the laid down good example that is shown to them. Understanding the strength and the weakness of the working team as an individual is one of the characteristics of a good leader, which helps in assisting them when needed and also a source of strength for them as well (Rankin, 2015).
Life experience, nursing experience, integrity and perseverance has helps me personally to advocate workplace changes that is required. Aiming to be executive personnel has been my desire and career planning ever since I became a nurse, even though it will be tough and rough, but with God, perseverance, commitment and career advancement, the sky is my limit. With this class, I feel like a new born nurse.
The nursing career has a growing workforce, spurred on by the high demand for caregivers. The growing need for nurses has caused in influx of new nurses, graduating from school and ready to begin their career. Although there are many different work settings for nurses, one universal aspect of assisting new nurses is nursing leadership. Leaders within nursing are tasked with assisting new nurses as well as those who are veteran nurses, and their role is indispensible. “Health leaders model the behavior expected in the organization” (Ledlow & Stephens, 2018). Susan Eckert, the senior vice-president of nursing and chief nursing executive at Medstar Washington Hospital Center, is a prime example of a nursing leader.
Clinical Nurse Leaders (CNLs) perform a balancing act that encompasses patient, administration and nurse practitioner interests. They are key executives in contemporary hospital settings. Prospective CNLs must obtain a master’s degree to qualify for this career track. Hospital administrators trust nurse leaders as nursing pool heads. CNLs also monitor and control the caregiving environment. As America’s healthcare needs increase, so will the need for Clinical Nurse Leaders.
Healthcare is a continuous emerging industry across the world. With our ever changing life styles and the increased levels of pollution across the world more and more people are suffering from various health issues. Nursing is an extremely diverse profession and among the highest educated with several levels ranging from a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to a registered nurse (RN) on up to a Doctorate in Nursing. Diane Viens (2003) states that ‘The NP is a critical member of the workforce to assume the leadership roles within practice, education, research, health systems, and health policy’.
The human body is the most complex organism in the world. A vast majority of society never gives it real thought, but our body is a well oiled machine composed of several systems with separate functions yet they all work together. No man can recreate an exact working replica of a human; even with all of our technology we still do not fully understand it. Each day anatomists and physiologists are getting closer, by making medical breakthroughs. Therefore, since the study of the human body constantly is evolving, so is the study of medicine. These changes pertain to every position held in the medical field, including nurses. As doctors’ duty is to become well informed of the constant changes, it is just as important for nursing staff to evolve as well. Most people do not realize the very valuable role a nurse plays in the process of treating a patient. Actually, some would say that nurses are more valuable than the doctors’. It is the nurse that gives the direct patient care by working with patients to monitor, evaluate, and implement their best judgment regarding the patients care. This is a very large responsibility for any person, let alone someone who has not attended medical school. Granted, nurses generally operate within certain perimeters set by the doctors’ orders, but there are times where nurses have to implement their own skills. A good nurse must be a good communicator, must be well educated and willing to evolve with the industry, and most importantly must be able to implement last minute critical thinking skills.
Nursing is a varied career that offers opportunities to many. It offers a range of facilities and options for all. Nursing is an ethical centered profession that requires its members to give of themselves. Each individual must maintain a professional atmosphere while upholding his or her personal integrity. Each nurse brings his or her own unique values and beliefs to their work and care. A strong conviction toward those ideals is essential in the profession. Nurses are faced with differing views, ideas, and expectations every day and must maintain neutrality for the betterment of their patients. They care for those experiencing illness, loss, and health and have to nurture accordingly. Nursing is not about the skill set or knowledge we have but about those we help in the process. Nursing goes beyond a career; it is a
In closing, as the healthcare climate consistently changes across the United States, it is imperative that registered nurses understand the demand for superior knowledge and lifelong commitment to nursing. As nursing theory and practice expand, our role as leaders is to place a high priority on our commitment to educate and guide nurses, thus improving the lives of their patients through the support of transformational leadership. The Institute of Medicine’s recent report, The Future of Nursing – Leading Change, Advancing Health, specifically calls for nurses to advance and embrace leadership roles on all levels and fronts – from collaborative improvement to positive identification of areas facing challenges within the healthcare setting.
Provision seven refers to nurse advancement of the profession through contributions of practice, education, administration, and knowledge development. Nurses serve by participation in the profession as mentors, on board of professional committees, and active leadership roles within their organization. While nurse educators promote the advancement of nursing through fostering professionalism and civic values; nurse managers and administrators are responsible for providing and environment which promotes ethical integrity and professionalism (ANA,
A myriad of challenges are faced in healthcare today. From over-crowding and long waiting lists to staff shortages which have knock on effects resulting in inadequate skills mix and unacceptable nurse-patient ratios. An aging population, high birth rates and an increase in chronic diseases also puts pressure on the healthcare system. The nursing role has had to evolve in response to changing societal needs and the challenges in the healthcare system today. (McCurry et al. 2009). This can bring additional challenges to nurses’ professional identity. ??
Nursing educators and researchers developed theoretical frameworks for the nursing practice that are used to validate application of nursing knowledge and skills, and the theory gives a professional identity for nursing practice. Watson’s caring theory provides guidelines in transformational nursing practice, and stimulates nursing when profession experiencing shortages, decline, crisis in care, safety and healthcare reform. Nurse staffing issue creates potential challenge for nursing profession; therefore, nursing leadership should be involved, and actively participate to resolve it (Peterson, S, J. & Bredow, T. S., 2013).
In healthcare it is very important to have strong leaders, especially in the nursing profession. A nurse leader typically uses several styles of leadership depending on the situation presented; this is known as situational leadership. It is important that the professional nurse choose the right style of leadership for any given situation to ensure their employees are performing at their highest potential. Depending on which leadership style a nurse leader uses, it can affect staff retention and the morale of the employees as well as nurse job satisfaction (Azaare & Gross, 2011.) “Nursing leaders have the responsibility to create and maintain a work environment which not only promotes positive patient outcomes but also positively influences teams and individual nurses” (Malloy & Penprase, 2010.) Let’s explore two different leadership styles and discuss how they can enhance or diminish the nursing process.
Nurses need a seat at the table to ensure they have a voice to influence and shape their future. Nursing is constantly evolving and changing, and employers continue to raise the bar for nursing. Nurses understand early in their career the importance of continuing education to enhance future career opportunities. Professional development relates to how nurses continue to broaden their knowledge, skills, and expertise throughout their career, therefore enhancing their professional practice. This advanced knowledge is not only career boosting, but also opens a seat at the table giving nurses the power to make decisions and effect changes. Professional development and continuing education are more important to nurses now than ever before to keep up with the rapid changes in healthcare today. Numminen, Leino-Kilpi, Isoaho and Meretoja’s (2017) article contends professional development enhances personal satisfaction, rejuvenates the love of nursing, builds confidence and credibility. There are many avenues to pursue
The absence of adequate leadership is a challenge in nursing today. Many nurse leaders are with-in the generation of the baby boomers and will soon be retiring. Therefore, there will be an even greater shortage of nurse leaders. It is stated that by 2020 50%
Personal reflection is important in leadership and especially if a behavior has to be practiced in order to become a routine. Reflection in action studies present individual behavior while reflection on action analyzes events in the past. Personal journey disciplines consist of the skills that help in nursing profession especially when one is improving self to become a leader. These skills include problem solving and leadership skills essential in solving leadership concerns. Effective problem solving is a strength that I possess and has helped me to effectively lead the nursing group as I work with to improve my environment as an individual, and improve the working condition of
Initially I thought that nursing was a career that can be taught. I felt nursing was only science and once you had mastered the science of nursing you could become a competent nurse. Since fall my view of the profession has changed drastically, I am starting to realize and appreciate the uniqueness of each quality that develops the art of nursing. For instance, I thought nursing knowledge was limited, once you have graduated nursing school you would have gained all the knowledge necessary. I now realize that knowledge does not only come from books but also from experience. With accountability, it is important for me to be able to admit to my mistakes. When I admit to my mistakes I grow as a nurse and as a person as I am able to learn from my mistakes. When being an advocate for my patients, I must not allow my own biases to interfere. I have to acknowledge my own biases so that I do not neglect care for my patients or make biased assumptions about patients rather than advocating for their needs. I always thought that sympathy is a universal value in nursing but rather empathy is. As a nurse I must understand the patient’s situation in order to be efficient rather than being sensitive to their situation. I also realize that it is very important for nurses to be adaptable as they face different and unique situations every day. I have concluded that a nurse is never done
Due to working with people around in the university Colorado hospital, I believe I am equipped, ready, and determined to dedicate my life to this high level of responsibility. The leadership opportunities allowed me to develop and practice certain characteristics required for nursing. In the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit it has trained me to overcome emotional discouragement, be patient, be attentive to others’ needs before my own, be available for others, build and maintain relationships, organize events, and manage my time under a busy schedule. Moreover, knowing the competitiveness and rigor of nursing school, it has motivated me to maintain disciplined study habits to precede my goal to become a nurse. While working in the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit for two years, my experience at this hospital became the most rewarding and enjoyable. The level of complexity and the demand of taking care of the patients in the hospital contributed to my strong passion and urgency to continue to grow my knowledge and help patients. I am fortunate enough to say that all my hardships, triumphs, and various experiences have contributed to my desire and determination to meet the demands of the nursing