Graduate Level Nursing Leadership
Running Head: LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 1
Leadership and the Graduate Nursing Role
Jenni A. Lotarski
South University
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 2
Abstract
In 1939, Karl Lewin conducted research on three different styles of leadership. This paper will emphasize and define his take of what constitutes a participative leader. It will discuss how this type of style of leadership coincides with the writer’s beliefs about being classified into the participative leadership group. The paper will examine the attributes that may be needed for graduate level nurses. Furthermore, …show more content…
it will consider the personal attributes the writer believes to demonstrate, as well as, the attributes that need to be developed in the graduate nursing role. The conclusion of this paper ends with a direct quote pertaining to leadership to reflect the content of the essay.
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 3
Leadership and the Graduate Nursing Role
After completing the quiz from this week’s assignment, the writer’s answers reflected that she would be a participative leader. Based on the three styles of leadership which include authoritarian, participative, and delegative, the writer would have to agree with the classification that she is a participative leader. According to Lewin’s research, the participative leadership style is the most effective where members of the group take a more participative role in the decision-making process. Participative leaders offer guidance to group members, but they also engage in the group and allow input from other group members when making decisions and solving problems. However, the leader retains the final say over decisions. Members of the group feel more committed in the process and tend to be more encouraged and motivated by this type of leadership. More accurate and effective decisions are made using this style of leadership resulting in higher productivity, better contributions from group members, and increased group morale (Lewin, Lippit & White, 1939).
This fits into the writer’s beliefs about her leadership style for a number of reasons. She enjoys working within a group and has found this leadership style coincides with her involvement with unit council. Being a participative leader, she is able to share in all the decision making and problem solving responsibilities with others to improve the quality of our unit. This provides the opportunity for her to develop a high sense of personal growth and job satisfaction. The writer’s leadership style incorporates and encourages others to be involved in the decision making process. This allows everyone involved to view perceptions from different perspectives which she believes results in more positive outcomes. She feels a sense of importance from being
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 4 a participative leader as well. The writer believes that she is given the opportunity to share her perspectives, voice her ideas and utilize her skills to improve team effectiveness which makes participating in unit council worthwhile. With this style of leadership, everyone must agree and come to the same decision. Even though this may take a while, the decisions are among the best since it involves the ideas and skills of all group members. In the writer’s opinion, team work is important in this style. In contrast to the other two types of leadership styles, she feels that this type reflects how she prefers to make decisions, solve problems, and implement new ideas. She thinks participative leadership would be the most beneficial and exhibit the most positive outcomes in the nursing profession for staff members, patients, and families.
Leadership attributes are crucial for the role for graduate level nurses.
All of the below listed attributes improve working conditions for everyone, increase the quality of patient care delivered by the health care team, and promote the nursing profession. There are many attributes that may be needed for graduate level nurses. Rose Sherman RN, EdD, FAAN wrote an article titled Do you have what it takes to be a nurse leader? This article focuses on the certain attributes nurse leaders often possess. According to Sherman (2011), integrity is a fundamental leadership attribute. Nurses need to be able to trust their leaders. Also, being empathetic is a characteristic that graduate level nurses should exhibit. Nurse leaders must show that they care for their staff if they expect staff to care for patients (Sherman, 2011). Next, it is essential for nurse leaders to be respected by their staff (Sherman, 2011). According to Sherman (2011), to achieve influence a leader must be respected. Moreover, nurse leaders should be able to demonstrate emotional intelligence (Sherman, 2011). “While it has always been important for leaders to be knowledgeable about their work, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership is …show more content…
now
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 5 considered to be equally important”(Sherman, 2011). Emotional intelligence helps people build stronger relationships, succeed at work, and achieve career and personal goals (Sherman, 2011). Therefore, this attribute is extremely necessary. An additional characteristic that may be necessary for the leadership role for graduate level nurses is having good judgment (Sherman, 2011). Focusing on what is important at any given time and taking the appropriate actions in a timely manner is crucial and shows good judgment making abilities (Sherman, 2011). Graduate level nurses should demonstrate the capability to face conflict since it is an inevitable part of work-life. This especially holds true in the health care field where the level of stress can be very high (Sherman, 2011). Being a self-starter and not always waiting for direction from a higher up is another characteristic for nurses in leadership roles (Sherman, 2011). The ability to stay positive in the constant changing health care environment is essential for one in the leadership position. The health care field is constantly changing. Therefore, “the ability to remain positive and keep the team focused on the mission and goals of the organization are critical skills” (Sherman, 2011). Lastly, having a passion for nursing and inspiring passion in others is important because it creates positive energy which makes a better working atmosphere for everyone (Sherman, 2011).
In the writer’s opinion, she has some of the attributes listed above, but definitely needs to develop other attributes that will help her become a successful leader in her graduate nursing role. She feels that, as a registered nurse, she is seen by her co-workers as someone with integrity. Her co-workers trust her. However, she does think that when she becomes a nurse practitioner, over time, she will have to gain the trust of her co-workers, patients and their families. This will be one quality that the writer will strive and work for because it is a
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 6 fundamental leadership attribute. She definitely has the characteristic of empathy built into her. She is always sensitive to the needs of others on a day-to-day basis. This not only includes the patients that she serves, but her friends and family as well. In the writer’s opinion, all practicing nurses should have this quality, not just ones in the graduate nursing role. This attribute is a staple in the nursing profession and we practice this with every patient every time. The writer thinks that her peers respect her. This is an attribute that needs to be earned in each new working environment and develops over time. Therefore, upon graduation from this program she will have to earn respect from co-workers in a new work setting. The writer does feel that she exhibits emotional intelligence. She is constantly working on increasing her level of emotional intelligence because she has realized that it impacts many different aspects of her daily life, such as the way she behaves and the way she interacts with others. The attribute of good judgment is slowly improving for the writer. She is always working on her critical thinking and decision making skills in the clinical setting. Gaining good judgment skills is a continuing process and the more she develops them the better she will be at making judgments, solving problems, and growing as a person and nurse. The writer does not like conflict therefore, tends to avoid it. She will have to learn how to appropriately deal with conflict because conflict resolution is inevitable in the work place. The courage to face conflict scares her because she has such a passive personality. Hopefully, this will diminish as she progresses in her career. Another attribute that the writer could improve upon is being a self-starter. In her current position, she tends to look up to the charge nurse to handle issues or problems that may arise during the shift. She typically waits for the direction of the charge nurse. The writer realizes to accomplish goals she must improve her self-starter skills. She thinks that she stays positive in the constant state of change
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 7 that the health career field presents.
The future of the industry is so unclear and always improving. Therefore, we, as graduate level nurses, always have to allow ourselves to grow and develop with the profession. Lastly, and her favorite attribute of leadership is exhibiting the passion for nursing and inspiring her passion in others. The writer most certainly demonstrates her passion and love for the field. How could one not love nursing when they are continuously making a difference in people’s lives. The writer knows that others see her passion as well by the positive comments she so often receives from her patients and their families. This makes the thirteen hours of work away from her own family totally worth every
minute.
The writer wants to conclude her paper with this quote: “Important leadership characteristics are pivotal in the role of nurse leaders to effectively improve work conditions, increase the quality of care, and promote the profession” (Hosseini, 2007, p. 10).
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 8
References
Housseini, M. (2007). Important leadership characteristics of nurse leaders in 2010. Retrieved from Proquest Central. (AAT 3302336)
Lewin, K., Lippit, R., & White, R.K. (1939). Patterns of aggressive behavior in experimentally created social climates. Journal of Psychology, 10, 271-301. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/leadership/a/leadstyles.htm Sherman, R. O. (2011, Oct 16). Do you have what it takes to be a nurse leader? Retrieved from
http://www.emergingrnleader.com/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-be-a-nurse-leader/
Leadership and the Graduate Nursing Role
Jenni A. Lotarski
South University
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 2
Abstract
In 1939, Karl Lewin conducted research on three different styles of leadership. This paper will emphasize and define his take of what constitutes a participative leader. It will discuss how this type of style of leadership coincides with the writer’s beliefs about being classified into the participative leadership group. The paper will examine the attributes that may be needed for graduate level nurses. Furthermore, …show more content…
it will consider the personal attributes the writer believes to demonstrate, as well as, the attributes that need to be developed in the graduate nursing role. The conclusion of this paper ends with a direct quote pertaining to leadership to reflect the content of the essay.
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 3
Leadership and the Graduate Nursing Role
After completing the quiz from this week’s assignment, the writer’s answers reflected that she would be a participative leader. Based on the three styles of leadership which include authoritarian, participative, and delegative, the writer would have to agree with the classification that she is a participative leader. According to Lewin’s research, the participative leadership style is the most effective where members of the group take a more participative role in the decision-making process. Participative leaders offer guidance to group members, but they also engage in the group and allow input from other group members when making decisions and solving problems. However, the leader retains the final say over decisions. Members of the group feel more committed in the process and tend to be more encouraged and motivated by this type of leadership. More accurate and effective decisions are made using this style of leadership resulting in higher productivity, better contributions from group members, and increased group morale (Lewin, Lippit & White, 1939).
This fits into the writer’s beliefs about her leadership style for a number of reasons. She enjoys working within a group and has found this leadership style coincides with her involvement with unit council. Being a participative leader, she is able to share in all the decision making and problem solving responsibilities with others to improve the quality of our unit. This provides the opportunity for her to develop a high sense of personal growth and job satisfaction. The writer’s leadership style incorporates and encourages others to be involved in the decision making process. This allows everyone involved to view perceptions from different perspectives which she believes results in more positive outcomes. She feels a sense of importance from being
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 4 a participative leader as well. The writer believes that she is given the opportunity to share her perspectives, voice her ideas and utilize her skills to improve team effectiveness which makes participating in unit council worthwhile. With this style of leadership, everyone must agree and come to the same decision. Even though this may take a while, the decisions are among the best since it involves the ideas and skills of all group members. In the writer’s opinion, team work is important in this style. In contrast to the other two types of leadership styles, she feels that this type reflects how she prefers to make decisions, solve problems, and implement new ideas. She thinks participative leadership would be the most beneficial and exhibit the most positive outcomes in the nursing profession for staff members, patients, and families.
Leadership attributes are crucial for the role for graduate level nurses.
All of the below listed attributes improve working conditions for everyone, increase the quality of patient care delivered by the health care team, and promote the nursing profession. There are many attributes that may be needed for graduate level nurses. Rose Sherman RN, EdD, FAAN wrote an article titled Do you have what it takes to be a nurse leader? This article focuses on the certain attributes nurse leaders often possess. According to Sherman (2011), integrity is a fundamental leadership attribute. Nurses need to be able to trust their leaders. Also, being empathetic is a characteristic that graduate level nurses should exhibit. Nurse leaders must show that they care for their staff if they expect staff to care for patients (Sherman, 2011). Next, it is essential for nurse leaders to be respected by their staff (Sherman, 2011). According to Sherman (2011), to achieve influence a leader must be respected. Moreover, nurse leaders should be able to demonstrate emotional intelligence (Sherman, 2011). “While it has always been important for leaders to be knowledgeable about their work, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership is …show more content…
now
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 5 considered to be equally important”(Sherman, 2011). Emotional intelligence helps people build stronger relationships, succeed at work, and achieve career and personal goals (Sherman, 2011). Therefore, this attribute is extremely necessary. An additional characteristic that may be necessary for the leadership role for graduate level nurses is having good judgment (Sherman, 2011). Focusing on what is important at any given time and taking the appropriate actions in a timely manner is crucial and shows good judgment making abilities (Sherman, 2011). Graduate level nurses should demonstrate the capability to face conflict since it is an inevitable part of work-life. This especially holds true in the health care field where the level of stress can be very high (Sherman, 2011). Being a self-starter and not always waiting for direction from a higher up is another characteristic for nurses in leadership roles (Sherman, 2011). The ability to stay positive in the constant changing health care environment is essential for one in the leadership position. The health care field is constantly changing. Therefore, “the ability to remain positive and keep the team focused on the mission and goals of the organization are critical skills” (Sherman, 2011). Lastly, having a passion for nursing and inspiring passion in others is important because it creates positive energy which makes a better working atmosphere for everyone (Sherman, 2011).
In the writer’s opinion, she has some of the attributes listed above, but definitely needs to develop other attributes that will help her become a successful leader in her graduate nursing role. She feels that, as a registered nurse, she is seen by her co-workers as someone with integrity. Her co-workers trust her. However, she does think that when she becomes a nurse practitioner, over time, she will have to gain the trust of her co-workers, patients and their families. This will be one quality that the writer will strive and work for because it is a
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 6 fundamental leadership attribute. She definitely has the characteristic of empathy built into her. She is always sensitive to the needs of others on a day-to-day basis. This not only includes the patients that she serves, but her friends and family as well. In the writer’s opinion, all practicing nurses should have this quality, not just ones in the graduate nursing role. This attribute is a staple in the nursing profession and we practice this with every patient every time. The writer thinks that her peers respect her. This is an attribute that needs to be earned in each new working environment and develops over time. Therefore, upon graduation from this program she will have to earn respect from co-workers in a new work setting. The writer does feel that she exhibits emotional intelligence. She is constantly working on increasing her level of emotional intelligence because she has realized that it impacts many different aspects of her daily life, such as the way she behaves and the way she interacts with others. The attribute of good judgment is slowly improving for the writer. She is always working on her critical thinking and decision making skills in the clinical setting. Gaining good judgment skills is a continuing process and the more she develops them the better she will be at making judgments, solving problems, and growing as a person and nurse. The writer does not like conflict therefore, tends to avoid it. She will have to learn how to appropriately deal with conflict because conflict resolution is inevitable in the work place. The courage to face conflict scares her because she has such a passive personality. Hopefully, this will diminish as she progresses in her career. Another attribute that the writer could improve upon is being a self-starter. In her current position, she tends to look up to the charge nurse to handle issues or problems that may arise during the shift. She typically waits for the direction of the charge nurse. The writer realizes to accomplish goals she must improve her self-starter skills. She thinks that she stays positive in the constant state of change
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 7 that the health career field presents.
The future of the industry is so unclear and always improving. Therefore, we, as graduate level nurses, always have to allow ourselves to grow and develop with the profession. Lastly, and her favorite attribute of leadership is exhibiting the passion for nursing and inspiring her passion in others. The writer most certainly demonstrates her passion and love for the field. How could one not love nursing when they are continuously making a difference in people’s lives. The writer knows that others see her passion as well by the positive comments she so often receives from her patients and their families. This makes the thirteen hours of work away from her own family totally worth every
minute.
The writer wants to conclude her paper with this quote: “Important leadership characteristics are pivotal in the role of nurse leaders to effectively improve work conditions, increase the quality of care, and promote the profession” (Hosseini, 2007, p. 10).
LEADERSHIP AND NURSING 8
References
Housseini, M. (2007). Important leadership characteristics of nurse leaders in 2010. Retrieved from Proquest Central. (AAT 3302336)
Lewin, K., Lippit, R., & White, R.K. (1939). Patterns of aggressive behavior in experimentally created social climates. Journal of Psychology, 10, 271-301. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/leadership/a/leadstyles.htm Sherman, R. O. (2011, Oct 16). Do you have what it takes to be a nurse leader? Retrieved from
http://www.emergingrnleader.com/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-be-a-nurse-leader/