Nursing Leadership as a Nurse Supervisor Develop

Nursing Leadership

As a nurse supervisor develop a communication plan with your team, defining what and how will communicate, what communication modalities and behavior are acceptable, and what the consequences are if acceptable behaviors are not met.

In the recent past most nursing theories and researches have unanimously agreed and stressed on the importance of nurses as good communicators. Good communication skills are not only required to make the care taking process more efficient but also efficiency in terms of team management and leadership. Nursing theories have suggested that nurses take up diverse roles beyond care taking, which include counseling and educating and the care taking spectrum of nurses covers physical, mental, psychological and spiritual well-being. To address all these aspects, my communication plan lays stress on using multiple communication modalities that include both verbal and non-verbal in order to meet the required targets. Communication within the team should be such that the team members enjoy a comfortable and trust-based relationship with each other, the flow of information should be smooth and each one should be well aware of one's role in the team. Failure to do so would result in communication inefficiencies and may create hindrances in information flow thus resulting in delayed or inaccurate decision making.

2. Develop two strategies to improve your communication and listening skills and add them to your personal leadership development plan

An effective communication does not merely revolve around speaking the message correctly. As a matter of fact efficient communication process requires choosing the right medium of communication, choosing the right message to the right receiver and acquiring feedback and responses. In essence, a nurse and especially a nursing leader does not only have to be a good communicator but also a good listener. The two strategies that I would use to improve my communication and listening skills is firstly I would address any barriers to communication that I face such as language barriers or lack of confidence in verbal speaking. Secondly I would try and inculcate more patience and lay stress on 'active listening' where I listen to the team members with patience and concern and value and respect their opinions.

3. Make a list of the ways you demonstrate and promote accountability on a daily basis.

It is highly essential for nursing leaders to ensure accountability in order to ensure optimum levels of productivity and maximum customer satisfaction, whereby the customer satisfaction mainly pertains to caretaking and well being of the patient.

The first step in order to promote accountability is the rule of equal justice for all.

Code of conduct and accountability rules would remain constant at all hierarchy levels regardless of seniority.

Immediate processing of complains on priority basis.

Options of intensity of problem, such as regular, priority, severe, emergency etc. On the complain cards to prioritize what complains to deal with first if there is an overload.

4. Develop two strategies to improve your accountability and transparency skills, and add them to your personal leadership development plan.

Patients and their relatives would be asked to fill a comment and evaluation form about the nurse(s) assigned to them. A complaint box would also be placed that would be read on daily basis where anyone can drop any complain regarding any nurse. The team members will be free to talk to the nursing leader at any time about any issues freely. If the team feels dissatisfied by the leader, they can write a mutually signed letter of complaint to the nursing leader or relevant supervisory authority. A transparency team would be elected every three months to ensure accountability and transparency. Team members regardless of seniority and hierarchal position will be accountable to the transparency team.

5. Write a paragraph about where you see yourself tray as a change agent and risk-take.

While I am proactive when it comes to initiating change and innovation with the aim of improving overall standards of nursing services provided, I do not favor taking uncalled for risks. I would only initiate a change after taking all team members on board about the proposed change and will be open to suggestion. Risks will only be taken after a thorough Cost-Benefit Analysis, and any decision that poses a threat to patient or communal well being or nursing standards or ethics will not be implemented.