Nursing Leadership Practices in Healthcare Settings
A leader’s ability to influence others manifests itself in the development of workplace culture and conditions. Nursing leadership has been illustrated as necessary for guidance in complex problems within nursing care (Smith, Manfredi, Hagos, Drummond-Huth, & Moore, 2006). Professional responsibilities of registered nurses include, “demonstrating leadership in client care by promoting healthy and culturally safe practice environments” (College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta [CARNA], 2013). Yet, leadership has been conceptualized through numerous theories that leave ample room for interpretation of best leadership practices. Ultimately, the significant implications leadership …show more content…
Particularly, leadership styles in nursing have been linked to work environment characteristics, nurse morale and retention, and patient mortality (Cummings et al., 2010a; Cummings et al., 2010b). When leadership practices pervade management and nursing care delivery roles, the employment of certain leadership styles to cultivate positive work cultures and improve patient outcomes has significant implications for practice. Management does not equate leadership, but due to the influential nature of the management role and the fact that many registered nurses (RNs) occupy these roles, it is vital that RNs embody leadership practices throughout their careers. As leadership practices may be exemplified by nurses at any organizational level, there is a strong need to examine the effectiveness of certain leadership …show more content…
These qualities are influenced by relational leadership theories which, as previously mentioned, are supported by research as having a potentially profound impact on both patient outcomes and overall work environment (Cummings et al., 2010a; Cummings et al., 2010b). We would demonstrate this style by focusing on enacting meaningful change to existing structures through innovative cooperation with our followers (Tucker & Russell, 2004). There are a number of positive behaviours that we would develop in order to embody a relational leadership style. First, the capacity to build and maintain meaningful relationships would be crucial in cooperating, and negotiating with, followers. Additionally, an empathic response would be necessary to facilitate conflict resolution, and to provide for an individual’s need for respect and understanding (Tucker & Russell, 2004). Empathy and the development of relational understanding would also increase a leader’s capacity to provide a meaningful response to the needs of those around them. Intelligence is another key quality that we would develop and integrate into our nursing and leadership practice. Intelligence, particularly related to critical thinking skills, would aid us in determining if, when, and how change should occur. Grossman & Valiga
A leader’s ability to influence others manifests itself in the development of workplace culture and conditions. Nursing leadership has been illustrated as necessary for guidance in complex problems within nursing care (Smith, Manfredi, Hagos, Drummond-Huth, & Moore, 2006). Professional responsibilities of registered nurses include, “demonstrating leadership in client care by promoting healthy and culturally safe practice environments” (College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta [CARNA], 2013). Yet, leadership has been conceptualized through numerous theories that leave ample room for interpretation of best leadership practices. Ultimately, the significant implications leadership …show more content…
Particularly, leadership styles in nursing have been linked to work environment characteristics, nurse morale and retention, and patient mortality (Cummings et al., 2010a; Cummings et al., 2010b). When leadership practices pervade management and nursing care delivery roles, the employment of certain leadership styles to cultivate positive work cultures and improve patient outcomes has significant implications for practice. Management does not equate leadership, but due to the influential nature of the management role and the fact that many registered nurses (RNs) occupy these roles, it is vital that RNs embody leadership practices throughout their careers. As leadership practices may be exemplified by nurses at any organizational level, there is a strong need to examine the effectiveness of certain leadership …show more content…
These qualities are influenced by relational leadership theories which, as previously mentioned, are supported by research as having a potentially profound impact on both patient outcomes and overall work environment (Cummings et al., 2010a; Cummings et al., 2010b). We would demonstrate this style by focusing on enacting meaningful change to existing structures through innovative cooperation with our followers (Tucker & Russell, 2004). There are a number of positive behaviours that we would develop in order to embody a relational leadership style. First, the capacity to build and maintain meaningful relationships would be crucial in cooperating, and negotiating with, followers. Additionally, an empathic response would be necessary to facilitate conflict resolution, and to provide for an individual’s need for respect and understanding (Tucker & Russell, 2004). Empathy and the development of relational understanding would also increase a leader’s capacity to provide a meaningful response to the needs of those around them. Intelligence is another key quality that we would develop and integrate into our nursing and leadership practice. Intelligence, particularly related to critical thinking skills, would aid us in determining if, when, and how change should occur. Grossman & Valiga