Introduction and Background
The role of a nursing leader is to inspire others into greater productivity, and their greatness is assessed based on their actions rather than their position of authority. Leadership in nursing practice is directly related to work results since the role influences organizational drive, performance, and people. However, leadership in this field is complicated, and although it is the most observed field, it is the least understood (Omar, 2023).
The constant change in healthcare policies, technological landscape, and population diversity necessitates that leaders and policymakers continually adapt their leadership styles. There is also a challenge in using the correct nursing leadership style in each situation to achieve optimal results. Nursing leadership is essential to the overall practice of medicine, and Bero’s case study provides a practical lens through which the topic can be explored.
Background
Nursing leadership is a crucial component in healthcare, with transformational leadership theory serving as a key guide to becoming an effective nurse leader. James V. Downton first coined the term transformational leadership, and it was later developed by James MacGregor Burns, who formulated its definition. The central concept of this leadership theory is that leaders should foster relationships and trust, cultivate an empowering work environment, and establish a culture that supports knowledge development and integration (Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, 2013).
Studies have shown that transformational leaders are effective because they can drive change, possess confidence and optimism, and enhance employee well-being (Farhan, 2021). A cross-sectional study conducted in Ontario, Canada, found that transformational leadership is associated with improved patient care in hospitals. This approach has also been applied in nursing practice, leading to enhanced patient care and favorable health outcomes (Boamah, 2018). The transformational leadership style aligns with my attributes as I emphasize innovation, charisma, and personal development traits that are crucial in offering upgraded care.
The goal for a servant leader is typically to serve their organization and ensure the greater good, which contrasts with the traditional leadership theory that emphasizes the leader managing their organization to thrive. Leaders need to be actively involved in their organization’s activities, be visible, and maintain open communication (Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, 2013). The concept of servant leadership, introduced by Robert K. Greenleaf, is well-suited for the service-oriented behaviors of front-line employees in the public sector (Bentein et al., 2021).
The concept is ancient and can be found in religious texts, such as the Bible, where Jesus told his disciples that to be great rulers, they must first be servants of others. The concept has been applied in nursing to create a supportive work environment. I hold values of collaboration and empathy dear; thus, this leadership theory resonates with my personality.
Analysis and Critical Thinking Application
Summary of the Scenario
The scenario presents Bero as a capable leader nurse, able to handle challenges and thrive in various regions and situations. It portrays her as a person with natural traits that make her a good leader, including courage, moral integrity, and a professional identity. She demonstrates bravery by deciding to challenge the status quo and her willingness to take risks today to ensure a better tomorrow. After attending a career fair, Bero’s unique personality and knowledge got her a registered nurse position. She exhibits servant leadership traits, as the case study states that Bero had a delightful smile and was ready to help everyone.
Bero is also not self-centered, as she is always willing to advocate for the rights of others, which makes her a decent leader. When working under a preceptor, Bero demonstrated a leadership trait of independence, which led to her being held responsible for her patients. She is also observant and noticed that the majority of the nurses in the organization were not happy after the caregiver manager was laid off. She has a master’s degree and over ten years of nursing experience.
Nurses who are learned and have experience are capable of delegating and mentoring recent graduates into the profession, a role Bero can handle (Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, 2013). Bero is committed to ethical practices and upholding a professional identity, which aligns with the ethical principles expected of a leader. She is also a skilled communicator and can effectively motivate her team.
Managing Different Situations
One of the situations the hospital in Canada faced was the sacking of the hospital manager. Bero could leverage transformational leadership theory and traits to manage this problem. Transformational leadership would help enable all people, even those not appointed to leadership roles, to act in the organization’s greater good.
For instance, a Canadian-based study by Eblie Trudel et al. (2022) demonstrates that transformational leadership skills have enabled teachers to develop resilience, thereby enhancing their leadership abilities during the pandemic. These skills are diverse across fields and could help Bero communicate to her fellow nurses their role and the institution’s vision for delivering good healthcare, even when their beloved manager is absent. She could also display servant leadership traits by sacrificing herself and risking informing the top management about the layoff.
The second issue the hospital is facing is that carers are being assigned to care for complex patients. She could rely on the principles of democratic leadership and inform employees and leadership to make decisions together, thereby preventing such problems in the future. She could also suggest to the management that the workers be retrained to fit all the registered nurse competencies. These include a nurse being a leader, an educated professional, a collaborator, a communicator, a coordinator, an advocate, a clinician, and a scholar (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2019). This would make the staff more engaged and may result in them wanting to improve their skills and help clients in critical conditions. Bero could utilize her experience and persuasion to assist the other nurses and inform the top administration of the issue.
Self-Reflection
As a nursing student, I have applied various leadership theories in my course and outside, precisely the transformational and servant leadership traits. I have applied transformational leadership principles in group work assignments, educating my peers on the importance of taking the assignments seriously, as it will benefit us later in our careers. I have also leveraged servant leadership theory by showing empathy, actively listening, and helping my fellow students whenever possible. The two theories have enabled me to create a positive learning environment, resulting in more productivity.
Upon conducting my self-evaluation, I identified several areas for improvement. I have learned that, although I am not very communicative, I need to be more assertive as a nursing leader. Additionally, I struggle with stage fright when speaking in front of a group. I have also identified that I need to be more flexible to handle various situations. An assessment of my Emotional Intelligence (EI) score indicates that there is still room for improvement in managing my own emotions and those of others. I have challenges with being assertive in communication, but I am strong in empathy and self-reflection. Therefore, in the future, I plan to invest in education, watch tutorials, and listen to podcasts to improve my communication skills.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Conclusion
This paper has explored the compelling and often complex journey of nursing leadership by reviewing a case study of Bero, a registered nurse in Canada. The scenarios presented demonstrate that Bero possessed nursing leadership qualities that were evident in Egypt and continued to be evident after transferring to Canada. Her situational awareness and ability to incorporate transformation and servant leadership principles make her a compelling case study that could be emulated by individuals seeking to become exemplary nursing leaders.
Recommendations
In analyzing this topic, a gap has been identified in the research studies about the areas they focus on. Extensive studies have been conducted regarding acute care settings in the country, leaving areas such as ensuring the welfare of understudied nurses. This results in the needs of the employees being ignored, as presented in the case study.
Researchers in Canada are advised to shift their research focus from acute diseases to examining the scope of nursing leadership in healthcare settings. There is a disparity in practice, as many hospitals within Canada do not provide their junior nurses with opportunities to become leaders. Thus, when such cases arise, there are hardly any replacements available. This issue could be addressed by hospitals providing a system that develops their workers into better managers.
There is also an educational gap in Canada, where nursing students are not adequately taught how to develop into influential leaders. Medical schools and policymakers in the country must revise their curricula to include nursing leadership roles and equip students to effectively handle conflicts and group dynamics.
References
Bentein, K., Lapalme, M., Guerrero, S., ParentâRocheleau, X., & Simard, G. (2021). How can servant leaders foster public employees’ serviceâoriented behaviors? A multilevel multisource study in Canadian libraries. Public Administration Review, 82(2), 269-279.
Boamah, S. (2018). Linking nurses’ clinical leadership to patient care quality: The role of transformational leadership and workplace empowerment. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 50(1), 9â19.
College of Nurses of Ontario. (2019). Entry-to-practice competencies for registered nurses.
Eblie Trudel, L., Sokal, L., & Babb, J. (2022). Transformational leadership approaches and their influence on teacher resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 22(1), 60-72.
Farhan, B. (2021). A new strategic leadership model for surviving and coping: Lessons from Canada’s leadership approach to COVID-19. Cogent Business & Management, 8(1), 1883221.
Omar, A. (2023). Week 3 notes: Leadership and management. Trend University.
Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (2013). Developing and sustaining nursing leadership best practice guideline(2nd ed.). Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario.
