The land of healthcare is evolving and the need for compassionate, strong leadership in nursing remains constant. Nursing in leadership is important to guide nurses during hectic schedules and challenging situations. Leadership in nursing is also required during patient advocation. Here in this blog, we will discuss what nursing leadership is and what are the different leadership styles that shape the future of nursing.
What is nursing leadership?
Leadership in nursing means to inspire, motivate and influence others to achieve their maximum potential and goal in the healthcare environment. A nursing leader must use different techniques to promote teamwork, improve patient outcomes and promote the best healthcare system and environment. Leadership skills in nursing are required to improve quality healthcare.
Qualities of Leadership in Nursing
Here are the key principles of qualities of leadership which helps in fostering positive healthcare environment.
- Effective communication skills
- Empathy
- Ethical decision making
- Honesty
- Ability to make informed and timely decisions.
- Visionary thinking
- Being flexible
- Resolving conflicts
- Provide guidance and support.
- Collaboration
- Taking responsibilities of their actions
- Commitment to excellence
Leadership Styles in Nursing
Let us explore the dynamic world of healthcare leadership and different styles that are changing the healthcare environment. Each leadership style plays an important role in healthcare environment.
- Transformational Leadership
- Transactional Leadership
- Servant Leadership
- Democratic Leadership
- Autocratic Leadership
- Laissez faire Leadership
- Situational Leadership
Transformational Leadership
Transformational leadership is the style of leadership in nursing where they motivate, inspire, and encourage the other healthcare team members to perform at their full potential and embrace the change. This approach encourages the nurses to be innovative and develop new ways to grow and improve.
Key traits:
- Visionary thinking.
- Effective communication skills.
- Empathy.
- Focus on team development.
Transactional Leadership
This style of leadership is more task oriented and focuses on short term goals ensuring adherence to the established goals. For example, it makes sure that the nurses stick to their duties when performing emergency protocols. This type of leadership works perfectly in emergency departments.
Key traits:
- Clear guidelines regarding patient care.
- Rewards for compliance.
- Corrective action for non-compliance.
Servant leadership
Servant leadership is the type of nursing leadership in which the leader focuses on the wellbeing and development of their patient and team members. It helps to foster a positive work environment where the patient and team members feel valued.
Key traits:
- Empathy towards others.
- Active listening.
- Taking responsibility and ensuring care of both patients and team members.
- Committed to the professional and personal development of team members.
Democratic Leadership
Another style of nursing leadership is democratic where the leaders actively involve the team members in decision making. They ask for team member input, suggestions, and feedback to make a decision. This type of leadership is not effective where independent decisions are taken.
Key traits:
- Collaborating with other team members.
- Open to feedback and suggestions.
- Giving value to teams input.
Autocratic Leadership
Autocratic leadership is the style of leadership where one individual takes the decision without the input of other team members. Leaders using this style provide direct instructions to staff which they must follow. For example, in cardiac arrest there is no time for collaborative discussion, so the doctors give direct orders to other healthcare team members to ensure patients safety.
Key traits:
- Quick decision-making power.
- Providing precise and clear instructions or orders.
- Tight control over the team members.
Laissez faire Leadership
Another leadership style is laissez-faire leadership, where the leader asks the team members to make their own decisions . The leaders only provide support and resources but want the team to perform their duties independently. For example, in oncological treatment of the patient, leader provides the resources to the nurses, but nurses make their own decisions in treatment plans because of their specialization in the field.
Key traits:
- High trust in team members and their decisions.
- Minimal direct supervision.
- Giving freedom and independence to the team members.
Situational Leadership
The last type of leadership style is situational leadership in which the leader adapts their leadership style according to needs and demand of the situation. In this style of leadership, they are more direct in critical situations and more collaborative during routine patient care.
Key traits:
- Changing their leadership approach according to their needs.
- Adaptability and flexibility.
- Assessing the team’s needs.
What is nursing leadership and management?
Nursing leadership and management are the important part of nursing and healthcare system to make sure that the patient are given high quality care. Some examples of leadership and management are as follows:
- Nursing leaders
- Nurse administrators
- Nurse managers
- Nurse executives
What are nursing leadership skills?
Some of the examples of skills are:
- Communication skills.
- Critical thinking and decision making.
- Mentorship.
- Emotional intelligence.
- Accountability.
- Collaborating with other team members.
- Team building.
Conclusion
Nursing leadership is important to improve the healthcare environment and ensure positive patient outcomes. Nurse leadership must possess the skills of effective communication, critical thinking, decision making, collaborating with team members, and more. In this blog, we have covered different leadership styles in nursing and how each style is important when used in the correct healthcare environment. Strong nursing leadership and management are required to advocate for both patient and team members and adapt to the changes in the healthcare environment.
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