Democratic Leadership in Nursing
INTER-PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE!
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Inter-Professional Practice Kimberly Wong Vancouver Community College Professional Practice Nicole Rogers August 27th, 2012
INTER-PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE!
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Inter-Professional Practice In the inter-professional health care team, a leader is a valuable member who works with others to provide high-quality care, ensuring patient safety and facilitating positive staff development in long-term care (Frankel, 2008). In many cases, the LPN is seen as a leader, taking charge, influencing and guiding others towards a mutual goal (Hood, 2010). Also, assigning roles and providing guidance to unregulated care providers (UCPs), assisting in maintaining safe work environments and advocating for residents as necessary (Rogers, 2012). Guidance is offered in The College of Licensed Practical Nurses in the form of the Standards of Practice document and Practice Guidelines documents (Rogers, 2012). Moreover, the several leadership styles that we have discussed in class can either complement or diminish the standards of practice. These styles include autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire, and participative. However, this paper will focus on the democratic style which I have identified as my own leadership style. Personal Leadership Style To begin, there are many personal characteristics that have led me to identify with the democratic leadership style. A democratic leader is one who makes members of the group feel more engaged in the process, and encourages group members to share ideas and opinions, even though the leader has the final say over decisions (Nursing Times Learning, 2008). Some other personal characteristics include working in a group to make major decisions and considering each person as a unique individual as each have their own unique personalities and abilities (Anderson, 2009). Just before entering this program, I was a lunch supervisor at a restaurant. I worked as a hostess, server, busser, and barista along side two to
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Inter-Professional Practice Kimberly Wong Vancouver Community College Professional Practice Nicole Rogers August 27th, 2012
INTER-PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE!
2
Inter-Professional Practice In the inter-professional health care team, a leader is a valuable member who works with others to provide high-quality care, ensuring patient safety and facilitating positive staff development in long-term care (Frankel, 2008). In many cases, the LPN is seen as a leader, taking charge, influencing and guiding others towards a mutual goal (Hood, 2010). Also, assigning roles and providing guidance to unregulated care providers (UCPs), assisting in maintaining safe work environments and advocating for residents as necessary (Rogers, 2012). Guidance is offered in The College of Licensed Practical Nurses in the form of the Standards of Practice document and Practice Guidelines documents (Rogers, 2012). Moreover, the several leadership styles that we have discussed in class can either complement or diminish the standards of practice. These styles include autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire, and participative. However, this paper will focus on the democratic style which I have identified as my own leadership style. Personal Leadership Style To begin, there are many personal characteristics that have led me to identify with the democratic leadership style. A democratic leader is one who makes members of the group feel more engaged in the process, and encourages group members to share ideas and opinions, even though the leader has the final say over decisions (Nursing Times Learning, 2008). Some other personal characteristics include working in a group to make major decisions and considering each person as a unique individual as each have their own unique personalities and abilities (Anderson, 2009). Just before entering this program, I was a lunch supervisor at a restaurant. I worked as a hostess, server, busser, and barista along side two to
References: Anderson, M.A. (2009). Nursing Leadership, Management, and Professional Practice for the LPN/LVN (4th Edition). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia. (2009). Baseline Competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses’ Professional Practice. Burnaby. College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia. (2004). Code of Ethics for LPNs: Companion Guide. Burnaby. College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia. (2010). Professional Standards of Practice for Licensed Practical Nurses. Burnaby. College of Licensed Practical Nurses of British Columbia. (2008). Working with Unregulated Care Providers: Discussion Paper. Burnaby. FBA (2008). Effectively Utilizing BC’s Licensed Practical Nurses and Care Aides. Retrieved from Http:www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2008/ Effectively_Utilizing_LPN_Care_Aide_Report.pdf Frankel, A. (2008). What leadership styles should senior nurses develop? Retrieved from http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/1811643.article) Hood, L.J. (2010). Leddy & Pepper 's Conceptual Bases of Professional Nursing (7th Edition) (pp. 456-490). Philidelphia, PA: Lipipincott Williams & Wilkins. MOCINS. (2009). Licensed Practical Nurse: Acute Care Medical Surgical Environment. Retrieved from http://www.gov.ns.ca/health/MOCINS/LPN%20Role%20Description.pdf INTER-PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE! 8 Rogers, N. (2012, June 27). Handout: NURS2002 [Inter-Professional Paper Outline]. Vancouver: Vancouver Community College, Licensed Practical Nursing Program.