Introduction
Leadership is an intangible quality that combines tenacity, ambition, and the ability to make quick decisions. These characteristics are essential to effective leadership, but they are not enough. A leader must also recognize the situation and understand the complexities involved for a leader to perform effectively (Ledlow et al., 2023). With the rapid growth of healthcare and aging populations, nurses are becoming increasingly critical in the healthcare system. While they may not have been as important at one point, that is changing as increasing numbers of nurses work in hospitals and health care settings. Nurses need to be leaders because they can alter people’s behavior. Nurses impact the overall culture of an organization or practice by instilling a sense of safety, care, trustworthiness, and respect in patients (Ledlow et al., 2023). The paper’s purpose is to contribute to a greater understanding of leadership and its role in healthcare.
Leadership Style
Authoritative leadership is when someone has power over others and tells them what to do. It can be effective if one has good communication skills and can communicate clearly. However, if one does not have those skills, this type of leadership will not work very well for them because it will be difficult for others to follow their instructions and carry out tasks as required. Democratic leadership involves everyone having an equal say in decisions that affect their lives or work environment, so everyone has an equal say in how things are done within an organization or team. This type of leadership works well when there isn’t any clear hierarchy between staff members; however, if there is a clear hierarchy, it can be difficult for democratic leaders to make decisions without upsetting someone at some point along the way.
Laissez-faire leadership involves letting people do their own thing, even if they are not doing anything useful. Laissez-faire leaders do not seek input from others before making decisions but instead allow people on their team to take ownership of their tasks by delegating them appropriately. Authoritative leadership is the most effective for healthcare because it creates an environment where nurses control their patients and can give them what they need. When nurses are given authority over patients, they can make decisions regarding their care that benefit the patient and themselves.
QSEN Competencies
QSEN competencies in nursing programs are essential because they help nurses become healthcare leaders. In the U.S., healthcare quality and safety are vital issues. As leaders, nurses are responsible for ensuring that all patients receive high-quality care and that the environment in which they receive care is safe and comfortable. The QSEN competencies provide nurses with knowledge about their roles as leaders in healthcare (Flodgren et al., 2019). A nurse who knows how to use these competencies effectively can help to improve the quality and safety of health care in our country by providing better patient care and reducing medical errors. In addition, the QSEN competencies in nursing programs are vital because they provide nurses with the skills necessary to lead patient care teams, improve the quality of care, and ensure that patients receive safe, effective care (Ledlow et al., 2023). Moreover, these competencies help nurses from diverse backgrounds and experiences work together to provide high-quality care for patients.
Leadership Role
There are many different types of leaders, and each style has particular characteristics that make it effective in certain situations. Leaders should be able to adapt as new circumstances arise and remain flexible to adapt quickly when necessary (Flodgren et al., 2019). They should have strong communication skills for effective leadership because they must lead their team effectively while listening attentively to what their team members tell them. Leaders should also have excellent problem-solving skills to find solutions quickly when problems arise.
As a nurse leader, I will assume the role of an Authoritative leader. This type of leadership is not only suitable for the organization, but it also benefits the individual. The individual will be more productive and have more confidence in themselves. They will clearly understand what is expected from them and what they can do to improve their performance. They know they are being held accountable for their actions, so they can focus on improving those behaviors and abilities necessary for success. I will further focus on maintaining good relationships with other staff members who work closely, such as housekeepers or security guards who frequently interact with the patients visiting the hospital. Leadership is essential in healthcare because it is a critical component of the success of any organization. Healthcare organizations must be managed effectively and efficiently to provide quality care to patients. This means that leadership is essential for an organization’s and its employees’ success.
Conclusion
Leaders make good teams because they can foster teamwork and collaboration. They create self-awareness, which leads to self-determination, a fundamental leadership principle. The role of a leader can vary wildly depending on the industry, job role, and environment. When choosing which leadership model best describes one, it can be helpful to think about how they are best at leading people and how effective their leadership style has been in their previous jobs. With more and more nurses taking on leadership roles in healthcare, knowing where those leaders should be placed within the healthcare organization is becoming increasingly critical. As leaders in their field, nurses have the opportunity to impact their patients positively.
References
Flodgren, G., O’Brien, M. A., Parmelli, E., & Grimshaw, J. M. (2019). Local opinion leaders: effects on professional practice and healthcare outcomes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (6). Web.
Ledlow, G. R., Bosworth, M., & Maryon, T. (2023). Leadership for health professionals: Theory, skills, and applications. Jones & Bartlett Learning.