Nursing involves in a multifaceted practice with strong goal-oriented interventions which ensures high quality care and patient safety (Australian College of Nursing, 2015). The goal of nursing is influenced by effective nursing leadership because nurses lead and manage a workforce. Merrill (2015) stated that effective nursing leadership in health services is needed to emphasise safety and high quality care. Therefore, leadership is a significant skill of nurses in order to create vision and enable the people to work towards change (ACN, 2015). This paper will discuss the relationship between leadership and patient safety. Furthermore, the purpose of this essay is to critically analyse the application of different leadership styles in clinical
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Their performance can be affected by their leaders and leadership styles which can influence patient safety (Wong, 2015). In clinical practice, patient safety is the key in delivering exceptional patient care. This can be attained by creating hospital environments that established patient safety (Merrill, 2015). As stated in World Health Organization (2016) safety of the patient means avoiding harm, errors and possible adverse effects to patient in hospital setting. Shortell & Kalunzy (as cited in Wong, Cumming & Ducharme, 2013) stated that leadership is way of influencing other people or a group to achieved a certain goal. In clinical practice, it is expressed that leadership has a participation in clinical care that motivates the staff to provide better care (Giltinane, 2013). A leader motivates their followers to achieve their full potential by guiding, directing, and encouraging goal attainment (Merrill, 2015). There are recent evidences that consider a link between leadership and patient safety. A leadership can contribute to patient safety through processes such as enabling good work environment that helps promote ideal patient care, and building an effective and positive communication with the staff that encourage quality patient care and healthy work relationship (Wong et al., 2013). Furthermore, these changes in the work environment will have an impact in staff attitudes, behaviour and performance that …show more content…
Therefore, situational leadership style is used in order to meet the needs of the followers or the organisation (Bedford & Gehlert, 2013). The main characteristics of situational leadership style are flexibility, directing, coaching, and participating (Giltinane, 2013). As an illustration, this leadership style can be applied when a new graduate nurse administers intravenous (IV) medication. The team leader will supervise and exhibit a clear and step by step instruction in achieving the task as the new graduate nurse has less clinical experience. In contrast with members who have more nursing experience, the leader will mostly likely demonstrate a monitoring role in the same scenario. This shows the leader’s action depends on the level of experience and confidence of the staff. The leader will become more directive to the new graduate nurse in administering IV medication until she/he will gain self-confidence (Giltinane, 2013). This situation will minimize the possible medication error by the new graduate nurse. However, the crucial part of this leadership style is to find out how to match the readiness of the followers with correct leadership style (Bedford & Gehlert,
Their performance can be affected by their leaders and leadership styles which can influence patient safety (Wong, 2015). In clinical practice, patient safety is the key in delivering exceptional patient care. This can be attained by creating hospital environments that established patient safety (Merrill, 2015). As stated in World Health Organization (2016) safety of the patient means avoiding harm, errors and possible adverse effects to patient in hospital setting. Shortell & Kalunzy (as cited in Wong, Cumming & Ducharme, 2013) stated that leadership is way of influencing other people or a group to achieved a certain goal. In clinical practice, it is expressed that leadership has a participation in clinical care that motivates the staff to provide better care (Giltinane, 2013). A leader motivates their followers to achieve their full potential by guiding, directing, and encouraging goal attainment (Merrill, 2015). There are recent evidences that consider a link between leadership and patient safety. A leadership can contribute to patient safety through processes such as enabling good work environment that helps promote ideal patient care, and building an effective and positive communication with the staff that encourage quality patient care and healthy work relationship (Wong et al., 2013). Furthermore, these changes in the work environment will have an impact in staff attitudes, behaviour and performance that …show more content…
Therefore, situational leadership style is used in order to meet the needs of the followers or the organisation (Bedford & Gehlert, 2013). The main characteristics of situational leadership style are flexibility, directing, coaching, and participating (Giltinane, 2013). As an illustration, this leadership style can be applied when a new graduate nurse administers intravenous (IV) medication. The team leader will supervise and exhibit a clear and step by step instruction in achieving the task as the new graduate nurse has less clinical experience. In contrast with members who have more nursing experience, the leader will mostly likely demonstrate a monitoring role in the same scenario. This shows the leader’s action depends on the level of experience and confidence of the staff. The leader will become more directive to the new graduate nurse in administering IV medication until she/he will gain self-confidence (Giltinane, 2013). This situation will minimize the possible medication error by the new graduate nurse. However, the crucial part of this leadership style is to find out how to match the readiness of the followers with correct leadership style (Bedford & Gehlert,