Observation Plan for Nurse Leader

As a "guardian of care," a nurse leader fulfills one of the most important roles in healthcare. All aspiring nurses and nurse leaders need to learn by observation and critical analysis of what a nurse leader does and how nurse leaders make their decisions. Observing a nurse leader entails documenting details of the day, with a goal of recognizing themes. The following is a plan of observation of a nurse leader who is actively engaged in their role.

The plan of observation is to serve as participant-observer, in a classic ethnographic role. This means that as an observer, I will not simply stand aside and watch but also actively participate in the target research environment, even interacting with the nurse leader when necessary. A participant-observer role allows for naturalistic observations as a qualitative research method.

As a nurse who is aspiring to be a nurse leader, my role as researcher and observer is twofold. First I will document all nurse leader behaviors, roles, and interpersonal interactions. I will make these documentations as objectively as possible, detailing times of day and other situational variables. Second, I will participate in the healthcare environment actively. The subjective conclusions I draw from the period observation will be combined and analyzed in conjunction with the systematic observations.

1. Start of day. At the beginning of every day or shift, the nurse leader will perform specific routine tasks according to how he or she runs the unit, and the goals of that day's work. The initial observations will be critical for setting the tone for the rest of the day. Based on personal experience, it is expected that the nurse leader will have a routine check-in with other members of the healthcare team, including physicians and psychologists.

2. Level of patient interactions. Nurse leaders do not necessarily have as much one-on-one time with patients, because they are in a position of leadership that guides other members of the healthcare team. However, nurse leaders do pay close attention to patient files and data, pointing out areas of concern or issues related to care continuity and collaboration with other healthcare workers. During the day, it is possible that the nurse leader does assist nurses who are primarily engaged in patient interactions and these observations will be documented.

3. Management. How does the nurse leader manage staff? What are his or her leadership styles? These are some of the core questions I will be asking during the participant-observation. My plan is to detail conversations that the nurse leader has with other members of the team, especially noting how the nurse leader resolves conflicts.

4. Interaction with other therapists, healthcare workers, physicians, and family members. The plan of observation includes a critical analysis of how the nurse leader engages with different members of the healthcare team other than the nurses on the unit. Additionally, I expect to observe the nurse leader fielding questions from family members and serving as patient advocate and liaison.

9:00AM -- 11:00AM Start of day. Take notes of what time the nurse arrives on the unit, and what the first activities he or she does, both in terms of documentation and administrative duties and in terms of interactions with colleagues.

11AM -- 2PM Midday. As the day progresses, the participant observation will include patient interactions and interactions with members of the healthcare team as well as family.

2PM-5PM Afternoon. Observations include how the nurse leader concludes her business on that day and how she helps colleagues and subordinates prepare for the evening in her absence.

References

Monaghan, H.M. (2011). Clarifying the clinical nurse leader role: guardian of care. American Nurse Today 6(4). Retrieved online: https://www.americannursetoday.com/clarifying-the-clinical-nurse-leader-role-guardian-of-care/