Leadership in Nursing: Theories & Application - Essay Sample

Introduction

Profound leadership in nursing is dependent on various theories and the role at hand. Nursing, in general, requires synchronization of tasks and working according to the needs of different circumstances. There are multiple leadership theories that are used in the nursing context. It is also essential to take note that good relations between leaders and their different teams lead to success in the nursing outcomes. The application of leadership styles in nursing is dependent on the goals and objectives of the respective leaders in nursing. This paper seeks to give more in-depth insights into the aspect of robust leadership in nursing and its application in the various nursing roles.

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Transformational and Transactional Leadership in Nursing

There have been heated discussions on the best type of leadership to be applied in nursing, hence leading to the rise in interest of the dissimilarities between transformational and transactional leadership. Transformational leadership refers to a motivational style of leadership whereby the leaders have the pursuit of motivating people instead of using them only as inputs into tasks. It is focused more on personal consideration, relevant stimulus, inspiration, and ideal influence. On the contrary, transactional leadership focuses more on behavior and ensures that tasks are done through compensation or authorization. Most researchers propose that the selection of the leadership style is dependent on the type of job at hand (Salehzadeh, 2017). Therefore, in nursing or any other field, it is extremely hazardous to be an entirely transformational leader as it is to be a fully transactional leader.

Diversifying the Ways of Thinking as a Leader in Nursing

The flaws in the various styles of leadership have led to the demand for creative ways within leadership in nursing. According to research works, these defects can be used in the research on the nurses' views on their leader's style and linking that with the nurse's contentment with their various tasks (Pierce, Gugliucci & Weaver, 2019). Research also indicates that there is increased patient satisfaction and increased performances in the nurses' work as a result of the profound support from their leaders (Boamah, Laschinger, Wong & Clarke, 2018). Typically, leadership in nursing has a big impact on the patients' outcomes and the nurses' job fulfillment. In spite of all the complexities of the type of nursing leadership to be employed, it is essential for all leaders to find an appropriate leadership approach that will suit the goals and objectives of healthcare.

Enforcing Leadership in Nursing

Past studies on leadership focus more on the mindset and directives of the leaders, leaving nurses with an inactive task and entirely under the mercy of leaders. It is suggested that it is the kind of relationship between leader and their teams that leads to operative leadership, instead of any particular actions by the leaders (Nawaz & Khan, 2016). It is upon effective leaders to be situational instead of being fixed-minded. Leaders who follow the situational approach examine the needs of their teams and adjust to them as required. It is essential for leaders to outline the policies and values of their team as a guide to their actions. Leadership has to be established rather than to be presumed that it is in place. Nurse leaders can use resonant leadership to identify the collective objectives and a common motivation for the rest of the workers to apply. Resonant leadership is a type of leadership style that was developed from transformational leadership and one that focuses on creating excellent relationships between leaders and workers, instead of solely focusing on the leader's vision.

The Impact of Excellent Leadership on Patient Outcomes

Regardless of the selected approach towards leadership, leaders still have to ensure that their leadership has a constructive effect on the patient. In a study done to identify nursing leadership in various hospitals in Canada, it was discovered that the difference in the leadership styles had an impact on mortality rates within the hospitals (Boamah, Laschinger, Wong & Clarke, 2018). Similarly, it was also discovered in another study that excellent relations between leaders and their workers led to reduced errors in medication and reduced period of the patient's' stay within the hospital(Huber, 2017). Nurse leaders should always focus on ensuring teamwork among the nurses to ensure proper outcomes. They should put in mind that the needs of the patient are just as essential as the needs of the nurse, hence they will have to ensure that they sustain good relations with the nurses and ensure that jobs are well-executed.

The Impact of Good Leadership on Nurses' Satisfaction

The kind of leadership applied in nursing has a significant impact on the fulfillment and reduction of turnover takes. To ensure that nurses continue working for the organization, leaders have to ensure that they practice appropriate staffing and establish great relationships with the nurses so that they can increase the nurses' retention. Studies indicate that nurses who had profound relationships at the workplace are usually more committed than those who only worked to get paid. Nurse leaders have to ensure that they provide job satisfaction through empowering the nurses and ensuring that they have a safe environment that will enable them to achieve both their individual and professional objectives and goals.

Positive Work Environments

Work relations alone are not sufficient to achieve the nurses' leadership goals. Nurse leaders should focus on creating positive work settings that encourage personal growth or self-actualization. Some of the mechanisms to ensure a productive environment in the healthcare context include common beliefs of self-sufficiency and operational empowerment. These mechanisms will act as the cornerstones towards ensuring high quality in work done across all professional levels. Nurse leaders are bound to develop their leadership plans according to Hoffart and Woods' ideologies, which include: professional values, patient care delivery system, professional relationships, compensation, and rewards structure and the patient care delivery system (Maxwell, 2017).

Leadership Approach by the Bedside Nurse

It is the role of the bedside nurse to ensure that patient care is completed and that desired outcomes are accomplished. The bedside nurse also has to provide a safe environment for patients by ensuring that they are in good condition and that they have their healthcare requirements being fulfilled. These types of nurses have a more informal role in the leadership role as compared to other positions in the nursing field. They have to employ their own mechanism of critical thinking, which is an intellectual capacity that can be learned. Bedside nurses have to apply critical thinking to ensure providence, facilitation, and promotion of outstanding care to patients.

Leadership Approach by the Public Health Nurse

Public health challenges are usually many and difficult; hence they require the public health leaders, such as the public health nurse, to include many participants in providing health care. Public health nurses should be well-skilled and be smart in political matters as they will be involved in the procedural and logistical parts of healthcare. The public health nurse should know how to incorporate the various leadership styles. The tasks that they are assigned are usually diverse; hence each job may require a different leadership tactic by the public health nurse.

Leadership Approach by the Unit Manager

Unit managers should use an all-rounded approach towards leadership since they have various factors in their responsibility. They should ensure that all the operations within a unit are running effectively and that there is an appropriate problem-solving mechanism that will help in countering challenges. They should aim at ensuring that the nursing environment is distinguished by its innovations, teamwork, flexibility, and renovation. If the unit manager works in conjunction with other workers within the healthcare organization, they will be set to achieve enhanced job satisfaction, lower turnover among the staff, and better patient results.

Leadership Approach in My Nursing Practice

I have learned that nursing is a profession that requires systematic leadership. I intend to apply a procedural style of leadership in my nursing practice, to establish a positive work environment for all the other workers and apply critical thinking in all of my decisions. Nursing roles are diverse, and hence various tasks have various leadership styles to be employed, depending on the situation at hand. I intend to be open-minded and adapt to the prevailing situation, instead of being rooted in the traditional beliefs on appropriate nursing leadership. Relationships are also an essential aspect in nursing, and hence I intend to ensure that I maintain good relations with patients and co-workers.

Personal Growth (SWOT Analysis)

I have been able to learn various leadership approaches that I will employ in my future work practice. I intend to be a proficient leader in the nursing practice, regardless of the position in which I will be employed. Some of the strengths that will add to my leadership skills include excellent communication, a positive attitude, self-motivation, and adaptability. I will work on these strengths and ensure that they are always at their optimal best because they are a stronghold in my nursing career. However, I intend to work on my weaknesses, such as disorganization, stubbornness, and perfectionism. My opportunity is that I have a relative (aunt) who is a nurse manager, and I believe she will be a great mentor in my bid towards succeeding in the nursing profession. The threat that I have is my negative trait-disorganization-which holds me back from being effective in some of my tasks.

Top Three Traits That Make a Good Nurse Leader

Nurse leaders should have the appropriate emotional intelligence to ensure that they support the nurse staff to deal with the challenges that arise during some clinical activities. They can also train the learners on how to develop emotional intelligence to manage difficulties effectively. Secondly, effective nurse leaders should have integrity such that they should be able to adjust to changes, and develop ethical policies that will help in making safe and operative healthcare choices. Lastly, they should have critical thinking skills that will help them to make decisions on the basis of a complicated range of issues.

References

Boamah, S. A., Laschinger, H. K. S., Wong, C., & Clarke, S. (2018). Effect of transformational leadership on job satisfaction and patient safety outcomes. Nursing Outlook, 66(2), 180-189.

Huber, D. (2017). Leadership and nursing care management-e-book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Maxwell, E. (2017). Good leadership in nursing: what is the most effective approach? Nursing Times, 113(8), 18-21.

Nawaz, Z. A. K. D. A., & Khan_ Ph.D., I. (2016). Leadership theories and styles: A literature review. Leadership, 16(1), 1-7.

Pierce, D. M., Gugliucci, M. R., & Weaver, S. A. (2019). Functional Contentment Model: Optimizing Quality of Life for Nursing Home Residents with Dementia. International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(9), 439-451.

Salehzadeh, R. (2017). Which types of leadership styles do followers prefer? A decision tree approach. International Journal of Educational Management.