NUR/492
June 17, 2013
Healthcare changes occurring today along with shrinking budgets and reimbursement rates for hospitals has forced institution CEOs to do more with less. Changes and restructuring of various health facilities require nursing leaders with flexibility and adaptability. Nurse leaders must also consider budgetary constraints, cost effectiveness, patient safety, and quality care while maintaining focus on improved patient outcome. The responsibility of ensuring patients receive safe and high quality care belongs to every employee in the hospital, including support staff such as IV therapy. In this hospital, this led to the development of a nurse director position to oversee the nursing support departments, which include Intravenous and Infusion therapy, float staff, and nursing informatics. The following paragraphs represent a summary of an interview with the director of nursing support services. The Director of Nursing Support Services reports directly to the vice president of nursing, keeping her informed of processes, progress, and ongoing issues occurring within the IV therapy, float pool, and nursing informatics departments. Updating, revising, or developing policies and procedures for the nursing division describe another responsibility of this healthcare leader. Monitoring staff for compliance to these policies and procedures as reported by the individual department supervisors provides a team approach to this leadership role. This writer interviewed the Director of Nursing Support Services regarding her role as a leader, her philosophy of leadership, and her thoughts on what qualities and characteristics are important for leadership. Also discussed are personal influences to leadership, challenges to current position, and advice to aspiring leadership positions.
Could you speak a bit about your background and the role you have today?
The interview began with information about her background.
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