Jennifer hay RE: Discussion – Week 4COLLAPSE

Important Leadership Skills

            Leadership matters in every organization not just in healthcare. With healthcare constantly changing, now more than ever, it is important to have great leaders throughout every organization (Marshall & Broome, 2017). One key characteristic of a good leader is they should focus on self-development (Aij & Rapsaniotis, 2017). Leaders that focus on self-development will continue to grow and learn from their mistakes. This allows them to focus on developing new skills and knowledge. When leaders continue to grow, they will be able to empower employees to be better and achieve their goals. Another leadership behavior that is important is characteristics seen in a transformational leader. Transformational leaders motivate and communicate with their employees to achieve a common goal (Fletcher et al., 2019). In healthcare, transformational leaders motivate their staff to provide high quality care to patients.

Leadership skills from personal experience

            My floor director is a good example of a transitional leader. With all the changes that have gone on with Covid she constantly makes sure we are up to date on the most current information. She also works alone side us often providing patient care. Having a leader that is not scared to do what we do makes a big impact. She has taken care of Covid patients while they deliver newborns. She also always expresses her appreciate for a job well done. Its nice to have someone not only appreciate what you do but also be willing to step into the trenches with us.

Leadership skills effectiveness

            Self-development is important for leaders, so they do not stay stagnant. Recently there was a push through clinical ladder to have more nurses that were nationally certified. Both of my managers pushed themselves and other staff to get certified. As a result of their motivation for self-development there are now 8 board certified pediatric nurses on the floor. Leaders must be willing to deal with difficult situations also. Working in Womens and Childrens our managers sometimes have to deal with situations that sometimes can be uncomfortable like mothers with drug addicted babies, adoption situations, or even fetal demises. Knowing how to deal with difficult situations makes them a resource to help other staff when these situations arise.

References

Aij, K. H., & Rapsaniotis, S. (2017). Leadership requirements for Lean versus servant leadership in health care: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, Volume 9, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.2147/jhl.s120166

Fletcher, K. A., Friedman, A., & Piedimonte, G. (2019). Transformational and Transactional Leadership in Healthcare Seen Through the Lens of Pediatrics. The Journal of Pediatrics, 204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.10.007

Marshall, E., & Broome, M. (2017). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert clinician to influential leader (2nd ed.).      New York, NY: Springer.

Henrietta Mosoke RE: Discussion – Week 4 Main PostCOLLAPSE

Leadership Theories in Practice

Views from Scholarly Resources

 The first article reviewed by Boamah et al (2018), dwelled on transformational leadership and its effects on creating safety outcomes for both nurses and patients. This explains the need for building and enhancing relationships with employees to enable the team to identify and clarify a shared vision. The advantage of this is to increase rates of change and sustainability. According to Marshall and Broome (2017) if leaders do not carry the best interests of the people they represent, then, there is no true leadership. Leaders must exhibit some ethics and core values to guide human behaviors and actions. When nurses are satisfied with leadership, they fell less burned-out and strained in interpersonal relationships, they engage less in misbehavior, and, in turn, patients were more satisfied with the quality of the care provided by the nurses.

            In the second article, it explained the correlation of good nursing leadership with quality of care. The article also emphasized on job satisfaction for healthcare employees and the general satisfaction of the patients, Sfantou et al (2017). Leadership styles were found to be directly proportional to the quality of care provision. It directs care provision and ensures quality care for all patients. It motivates staff health and wellbeing. So, leadership was very instrumental in directing workflow, impacting the work environment as well as organizational policies. Zaghini (2020), also reiterated the relationship between nursing leadership style and the way patients perceive the quality of care they receive.

Transformational Leadership.

            My unit manager is a transformational leader, she has confidence, respect, and loyalty for her team. She encourages staff on the unit to build on strengths and develop trust and encourages all employees that she manages. Transformational leadership must focus on improved systems and processes (Marshall, & Broome, 2017). She does not only focus on herself but others as well. The manager also inspires the team through her words and actions. She possesses effective communication and interpersonal skills. Always very generous with praises and encouragement. For example, the manager is also quick to inform the team about avenues for professional growth within the organization. Besides she is always open to discussions, suggestions, and proposals to move the team forward. Also, she is a good educator ready to improve the clinical skills of the nurses. Twice every month, she reviews a skill with the team. Last week we reviewed blood transfusion as a means of keeping the team abreast of their skills. Just like in the video Laureate Education (Producer). (2018), a good leader communicates effectively, has respect and integrity for their team.

Effectiveness of Skills.

 As a result of this transformational style of leadership, the turnover rates are very low. Some nurses have worked in the unit for over fifteen years. Such experienced nurses now serve as mentors and preceptors to the novice nurses. Thereby transferring their skills and experiences while also representing the unit in certain committees in leadership and administrative levels. There is satisfaction in both patients and staff members and a general feeling of wellbeing. The unit functions as a team with nurses assisting each other to grow. Social activities such as birthdays and other occasions are celebrated for every staff member. I have also observed that a lot of nurses have returned to school to either obtain higher degrees or certificates within the organization or other institutions.

References

Boamah, 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. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2017.10.004

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The leader in You [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

       Marshall, E., & Broome, M. (2017). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert clinician to influential leader (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer.

Sfantou, D. F., Laliotis, A., Patelarou, A. E., Sifaki-Pistolla, D., Matalliotakis, M., & Patelarou, E. (2017). Importance of Leadership Style towards Quality of Care Measures in Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 5(4). https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.3390/healthcare5040073

Zaghini, F., Fiorini, J., Piredda, M., Fida, R., & Sili, A. (2020). The relationship between nurse managers’ leadership style and patients’ perception of the quality of the care provided by nurses: Cross-sectional survey. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 101, N.PAG. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.103446

3SOURCES ON EACH DISCUSSION