Combining Nurse Leadership With Advocacy

Combining Nurse Leader With Advocacy

Assignment – Topic: Combining Nurse Leader With Advocacy. Question: Rate yourself using the results from the "Nurse Manager Skills Inventory": Write a reflection of 750-1,000 words in which you identify your strengths and weaknesses related to the four content areas below: 1. Personal and professional accountability 2. Career planning 3. Personal journey disciplines 4. Reflective practice reference behaviors/tenets Discuss how you will use your current leadership skill set to advocate for change in your workplace. Identify one personal goal for your leadership growth and discuss your implementation plan to achieve that goal. Solid academic writing is expected and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines. This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Paper For Above instruction

In evaluating my capabilities as a nurse leader, I have utilized the "Nurse Manager Skills Inventory" to assess my strengths and weaknesses across key areas central to effective leadership and advocacy within healthcare. Reflecting upon these results provides a framework for understanding how personal competencies can be harnessed to promote positive change, alongside identifying areas for growth that are essential for ongoing professional development.

One prominent strength identified through the inventory is my strong sense of personal and professional accountability. I consistently uphold ethical standards, adhere to organizational policies, and take responsibility for my actions and decisions. Such accountability underpins trustworthiness and credibility, vital qualities for nurse leaders advocating for change. My commitment to accountability fosters a culture of transparency and integrity, which encourages team cohesion and enhances patient safety outcomes (Gifford, 2018). However, a weakness I recognize pertains to my career planning skills. While I am confident in my current role, I have not systematically mapped out long-term career goals or identified strategic steps to achieve leadership positions. This gap may hinder my ability to proactively pursue growth opportunities and influence organizational change effectively.

In terms of personal journey disciplines, I excel in self-awareness and resilience. I regularly reflect on my practice to identify areas for improvement and remain adaptable amidst changing healthcare landscapes. This reflective practice aligns with the core tenets of advocacy, emphasizing continuous learning and self-improvement to serve patients and teams better (Kenny et al., 2020). Conversely, I acknowledge that enhancing my skills in emotional intelligence, particularly in managing conflict and demonstrating empathy, is necessary to strengthen my leadership effectiveness and advocacy efforts.

Reflective practice and adherence to ethical behaviors are foundational tenets within my leadership philosophy. These behaviors guide my actions and decisions, enabling me to advocate for policies and practices that promote patient rights, safety, and quality of care (White & Dudley-Bailey, 2019). By embodying these principles, I can effectively influence change initiatives and rally support among colleagues and stakeholders.

Utilizing my current leadership skill set, I intend to advocate for change by promoting a culture of safety and open communication in my workplace. For example, I plan to initiate a team-based approach to identify and address safety concerns promptly. I will leverage my accountability and reflective practices to facilitate transparent dialogues, encouraging staff to voice concerns without fear of retribution. This aligns with transformational leadership principles, which emphasize empowering staff and fostering collaborative problem-solving (Cummings et al., 2021). Such initiatives can lead to improved patient outcomes and a more engaged workforce.

One specific personal goal for leadership growth I have identified is strengthening my conflict management and emotional intelligence skills. To attain this goal, I will engage in targeted training programs and seek mentorship from experienced leaders recognized for their high emotional intelligence. My implementation plan includes enrolling in workshops focused on emotional regulation and conflict resolution within the next three months, seeking regular feedback from peers and supervisors, and practicing these skills in real-world situations. Additionally, I intend to keep a journal to reflect on my emotional responses and progress, ensuring continuous self-awareness and adaptation (Kotsou et al., 2019).

In conclusion, assessing my leadership through the Nurse Manager Skills Inventory has clarified my strengths in accountability and resilience, while highlighting the need for strategic career planning and emotional intelligence development. By leveraging my current skills to foster a safety-centric culture and actively working towards enhancing my emotional management capabilities, I aim to contribute meaningfully to organizational change and advocate effectively for patients and staff. Commitment to ongoing reflective practice and targeted growth will underpin my journey as a nurse leader dedicated to advocacy and excellence in healthcare.

References

• Cummings, G. G., Tate, K., Lee, S., et al. (2021). Leadership styles and outcome patterns for the nursing workforce and work environment: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 118, 103960.
• Gifford, W. A. (2018). Ethical leadership in nursing practice: A review. Nursing Ethics, 25(4), 338-349.
• Kenny, A., McGonagle, A., & McGarr, T. (2020). Promoting reflective practice in nursing: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 10(3), 45-52.
• Kotsou, I., Mikolajczak, M., Heeren, A., et al. (2019). Improving emotional intelligence: A systematic review and meta-analysis of training studies. Personality and Individual Differences, 146, 177-183.
• White, J., & Dudley-Bailey, M. (2019). Translating evidence into nursing practice. Springer Publishing Company.
• Gifford, W. A. (2018). Ethical leadership in nursing practice: A review. Nursing Ethics, 25(4), 338-349.
• White, J., & Dudley-Bailey, M. (2019). Translating evidence into nursing practice. Springer Publishing Company.
• Creek, S. (2020). Leadership and advocacy in nursing. Journal of Nursing Management, 28(7), 1501-1507.
• Chinn, P. L., & Kramer, M. K. (2018). Integrated Theory and Knowledge Development in Nursing. Elsevier.
• McSherry, R., et al. (2017). Leadership in nursing: Evidence-based tools for advancing nursing practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.