Leadership Styles In Nursing: Refer To A Nurse Leader

Reply 1leadership Styles In Nursing Refer To A Nurse Leaders Characte

Leadership styles in nursing refer to a nurse leader’s characteristics and behaviors when managing, directing, guiding, and motivating their teams. Leadership styles are classifications of how leaders behave in management positions. As we watch the video of Sara interacting with Dr. Acharya with the response of her five minutes from leaving, may have been the emotionally responding oppose to hearing the situation with the patient and trying to find a resolution all while leaving at a respected time. According to Hardee, Effective leaders are those who can recognize what followers need and then adapt their own style to meet the needs (2017).

Sara's initial approach was not effective as a leader. Once approached by the doctor, if she was overwhelmed, she could ask for a second, then recollect her thoughts and reapproach Dr. Acharya. She needed to understand his concern for discharge education and patient safety, especially since it was not completed. She could have told him she would further investigate to ensure discharge readiness the following day. Additionally, as a leader, following up with case management to identify issues causing discharge delays and determining how she could assist would demonstrate effective situational leadership.

In the episode involving Paula, concerns arose regarding Paula's difficulty adapting to the new Electronic Health Record (EHR) software, which was causing medication errors. Such errors could have severe consequences, including patient harm or even death. Initially, Sara hesitated to address Paula’s issues due to Paula’s seniority and her tenure in nursing, which reflects a poor leadership trait. However, once Paula expressed feelings of exclusion and frustration about her inability to use the software, Sara stepped up by offering one-on-one tactile training. This supportive action exemplifies transformative leadership, motivating staff to develop skills and enhancing team performance (Hardee, 2017).

Paper For Above instruction

Leadership in nursing is a complex, multifaceted aspect that profoundly influences patient care outcomes and team dynamics. Among various leadership styles, situational and path-goal theories provide valuable frameworks for understanding how nurse leaders adapt their behaviors to meet the needs of their staff and patients. This paper analyzes Sara’s leadership approach in two scenarios, demonstrating how her characteristics and behaviors align with these theories, ultimately fostering a positive work environment and improving patient safety.

In the first scenario, Sara's initial response to Dr. Acharya’s concerns about discharge education highlights the importance of emotional intelligence and adaptability in leadership. Effective nurse leaders recognize their emotional responses and manage them appropriately, ensuring they do not hinder decision-making (Hardee, 2017). When overwhelmed, a nurse leader should pause to gather their thoughts instead of reacting impulsively. By doing so, Sara could have reassessed her approach to Dr. Acharya, actively listening to his concerns and providing reassurance that she would follow up to ensure patient safety and discharge readiness. This exemplifies the situational leadership style, where the leader adjusts their behavior based on the context and the needs of their followers (Quinn, 2017). The leader's ability to adapt, communicate effectively, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams facilitates better patient outcomes and promotes trust among staff.

The second scenario involving Paula and the new EHR system further demonstrates Sara's effectiveness as a leader. Initially hesitant due to Paula’s seniority, Sara’s decision to offer personalized, tactile training epitomizes her adaptive leadership style aligned with the path-goal theory. This theory posits that a leader's behavior should motivate followers to achieve their goals (Hardee, 2017). By identifying Paula’s specific needs and providing targeted support, Sara enhanced her staff member’s competence and confidence, which likely reduced medication errors and improved job satisfaction. This proactive approach not only addresses immediate performance issues but also encourages professional development, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Furthermore, Sara’s ability to balance directive and supportive behaviors exemplifies the flexibility required in dynamic healthcare settings. When facing unforeseen circumstances, such as Dr. Acharya’s last-minute orders, she exhibits directive behaviors, establishing clear goals and timelines (Quinn, 2017). Conversely, when guiding Paula through EHR training, she adopts a supportive and coaching style, recognizing individual needs. This versatility is essential for effective nursing leadership, as it helps staff navigate complex clinical environments safely and efficiently.

Leadership in nursing also involves emotional intelligence, which encompasses self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills (Hardee, 2017). Sara’s empathetic response to Paula’s feelings of exclusion and her subsequent actions reflect her emotional awareness and her commitment to team cohesion. Such behaviors contribute to a positive workplace culture, reduce staff burnout, and improve patient care quality.

In conclusion, Sara’s leadership exemplifies the importance of adaptability, emotional intelligence, and a supportive leadership style in nursing. Whether managing discharge procedures or staff development, effective nurse leaders should employ a combination of situational and path-goal strategies tailored to their team's unique needs. These approaches foster a collaborative environment, enhance staff competence, and ultimately lead to better patient outcomes. Continued development of these leadership skills is vital for navigating the increasingly complex healthcare landscape.

References

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