Nurse vs. Non-Nurse Leader: Nightingale and Clinton Compared

Introduction

Leadership does not depend on delegated authority. Rather, a leader holds a form of power that comes informally from the people they lead. Leaders do the right thing, while managers do things right — hence the distinction between the two terms (Yoder-Wise, 2011). Leadership, therefore, entails being an initiator and an example to others: empowering, motivating, and influencing them to act in line with their responsibilities. Leadership is, in this sense, a calling — a service to those being led.

Nursing as a profession requires leaders who can initiate decision-making and advance the quality of care within the working environment (Yoder-Wise, 2011). Holistic nursing focuses on the wholesome integration of the mind, body, and spirit of a person in the healing process, in relation to their environment. This philosophy dictates that an effective nurse must also possess strong leadership qualities.

The Contemporary Leader: Bill Clinton

A leader needs to have personal traits that identify them uniquely. Over the centuries, leaders have come and gone, demonstrating various forms of leadership and developing distinct styles. In its most basic form, leadership is about influence — it occurs within a group context, as one cannot lead in isolation. From a personality perspective, leadership is based on the ability to inspire others to accomplish tasks through special traits and characteristics the leader possesses (Post, 2005). From a behavioral perspective, a leader may be directive, supportive, participative, or achievement-oriented, depending on the approach they choose.

Among the world's most famous and influential leaders is Bill Clinton. Born without a father — who died while his mother was pregnant — Clinton was raised by his mother, Virginia Dell Cassidy, who was a nurse. He attended school like any other young person of his time and pursued a career in law (Post, 2005). He entered politics at the age of 32, becoming the governor of Arkansas and the youngest person to hold that office at the time. Twelve years later, Clinton sought the presidency and won 43% of the popular vote in his first campaign. At his inauguration, he was 46 years old — the third youngest president in United States history and the second Democratic president to serve two full terms since Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In 2004, Clinton received a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Spoken Word Album for My Life. During his tenure, the United States experienced some of the most prosperous economic conditions in its history.