WHY STUDY LEADERSHIP?

Nurses study leadership to prepare themselves for the essential expectations of the professional nurse. Leadership competencies are viewed as a fundamental human activity and a critical component of nursing (Glazer & Fitzpatrick, 2013). Nursing roles have expanded making leadership skills more important than ever. Leadership skills are needed because nurses work in intraprofessional teams to solve urgent issues at the individual (micro) level, and also at the greater systems (macro) level (Morton & Hyrkas, 2012).

Many nurses enter the profession given their desire to make a positive difference in the world. Leadership competencies help nurses make that difference because leadership skills are needed to facilitate and implement beneficial change. Nurses make a positive difference with patients because they lead the interdisciplinary team to help improve patient outcomes. Nursing leadership skills and abilities have been linked to many improved outcomes such as quality patient care, healthy workplaces, job satisfaction, and driving cultural change (Mannix, Wilkes, & Daly, 2013). Leadership skills enable nurses to become trailblazers among their colleagues because they help to lead change and inspire others within the organization.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A LEADER?

There are many benefits of being a leader. Some of the benefits impact the nurse personally. For example, nurse leaders working in direct patient care have reported improved job and personal satisfaction as well as increased opportunity for career advancement (Grindel, 2016). Nurse leaders who mentor others report the personal benefit of feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. Other benefits of nurse leaders are related to patients and the organization. For example, nurse leaders benefit patients by improving patient care, safety, outcomes, and satisfaction (Grindel, 2016). In addition, effective nursing leaders benefit the organization by enhancing work processes, decreasing errors, and reducing waste, all of which help to support a healthy work environment (Downey, Parslow, & Smart, 2011; George et al., 2002).

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

There is no one universally accepted definition of “leadership.” In fact, leadership may mean different things in different situations. Although definitions may differ, the overall sentiments are frequently similar. Leadership can be defined as the process by which one influences others to follow one’s direction or to accomplish a goal (Huber, 2014; Mannix, Wilkes, & Daly, 2013). Leaders typically demonstrate integrity and have developed core values and a vision that inspires people.

Inherent in the definition of leadership is the notion that a leader has followers. Those followers are inspired to accomplish a goal. In the healthcare setting, those goals often revolve around improving care and achieving positive patient outcomes (Taylor & Martindale, 2013). Leaders help their followers feel empowered to solve problems and to be innovative and creative. Leaders provide the direction and use their management abilities to assist people in the proper path.

Leadership is not about authority or power, nor is it about the individual’s position or title. Rather, leadership is derived from social influence. Leadership requires the assistance of other people who help you reach goals. Leadership is a learned skill achieved through developing a high level of self-awareness. Leaders can expand their knowledge and skills through education and practice.

STRENGTHS OF THE ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE NURSE

As an associate’s degree nurse (ADN), you have been prepared with the knowledge and skills to be a nurse. You have been groomed to be a capable, caring, and dedicated healthcare professional who plays an important role in the care of patients in various communities (Mahaffey, 2002). Some would even argue that you may be more clinically prepared than new BSN graduates (Lauren1021, 2006). You have had the opportunity to have first-rate clinical experiences in many settings—acute as well as community based. You have undoubtedly worked with experienced faculty with a strong clinical focus. Your ADN education provides you a solid foundation to develop your leadership skills with your continued education.

BUILDING ON THE ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE FOUNDATION IN THE PROFESSIONAL NURSE ROLE EVOLUTION

The professional nurse role has evolved over the past decade with attention given to the differences among registered nurses educated at the associate’s degree level from those who are educated at the baccalaureate level. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) states that the educational preparation of baccalaureate nurses should include leadership, an essential aspect of the role of the registered nurse (AACN, 2014). Nurses educated at the ADN level may not have had formal education on the concept of leadership. However, there is no doubt ADNs have experience with the concept in everyday practice. Nurses are called to be leaders because part of their daily work, while delivering patient care and when working with colleagues to address concerns, influences the practice of nursing. Studying leadership will help you to be well prepared to meet the demands of nursing today. It will provide you with the knowledge and skills to be a leader at the bedside across a variety of settings. Although you might not be entertaining the idea now, it will also assist you should you be interested in a formal leadership position in the future. For example, our nation’s Magnet^® hospitals are requiring all nurse managers/leaders to have a baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing (ANCC, 2014).

LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS OF THE PROFESSIONAL NURSE

The AACN has established The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (2008). This document outlines what is expected of a BSN graduate and takes into account the recommendations of National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) regarding the core knowledge necessary for healthcare professionals. The AACN Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice clearly notes that leadership is an essential expectation of the professional nurse. In particular, the document notes professional nurses should acquire leadership skills that involve making ethical decisions, establishing and maintaining collegial relationships, using civil collaboration and communication in interprofessional teams, coordinating care, delegating, and demonstrating effective conflict-resolution techniques. Professional nurses need to understand complex systems as well as the influence of power, policy, politics, and regulatory standards on these systems.

According to AACN (2008), some of the leadership expectations of the professional nurse are as follows:

The competencies, skills, and decision-making that are discussed throughout this book will help you to develop the capacity to be an effective leader. The process requires self-assessment, reflection, and much time and effort. To get started, refer to Box 1.2 to assess your leadership. Although completing a self-assessment is a good start to becoming an effective leader, you should also engage in reflective practice to increase your self-awareness coupled with education, training, and experience.

HOW DO LEADERSHIP SKILLS DIFFER FROM MANAGEMENT SKILLS?

In this book, we not only address leadership skills but also consider management skills. As we have discussed, leadership skills involve the development of a vision, setting goals effectively, and motivating others to reach those goals. Leadership requires the ability to influence to achieve desired outcomes. Management skills, on the contrary, involve overseeing operations and processes. Management skills involve how you handle the day-to-day operations of the unit and help people to work together efficiently and harmoniously. It helps to understand those with whom you work and what motivates them so you can identify the right approach. Chapter 3 will further help you distinguish between leadership and management behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Leaders are needed at the bedside to help inspire others to achieve patient outcomes. Leadership is not just about the position you hold but about self-awareness, knowledge of processes, and relationships with others. In addition to improving patient care, your leadership abilities can potentially benefit you with personal as well as professional satisfaction. Learning about leadership will build upon the knowledge you have from your ADN education and prepare you for the essential expectations of the baccalaureate-prepared professional nurse. Throughout this book, we focus on leadership and management competencies, skills, and decision-making necessary for the professional nurse. This information coupled with self-reflection and practice/experience will help you become the effective leader that healthcare needs you to be.

REFERENCES