Sunday, September 16, 2014

Leadership Strategies

Leadership Strategies In the hospital setting many interdisciplinary teams exist to improve patient care. As a member of an interdisciplinary team the nurse is able to provide valuable insight from the nursing perspective and may lead the team to achieve goals. One leadership strategy the nurse may employ is to be a visionary presenting a plan. Enlisting the support of the team to implement a plan through motivation is one example of leadership. A leader must have excellent communication skills to engage the unit staff cooperation in initiating the plan. The unofficial leader builds on abilities to inspire, creates enthusiasm and provides support to the care team members as the plan is implemented. The role of team leader does not have to be by a person in a formal leadership position. Often it is best filled by a front line staff nurse who is able to effectively gather support from her team members on the nursing unit. The leadership strategies exhibited by the nurse are being a visionary, a motivator, a communicator, an inspiration, mentor and even a cheerleader by creating enthusiasm to plan, initiate, implement and evaluate the plan of an interdisciplinary team.
Active Involvement Active involvement of a nurse in the interdisciplinary team allows a well round view of processes that closely impact patient care. By having the nurse represent the nursing unit, much information can be learned about the core patient care area and current processes. If frequent “work arounds” are occurring to either expedite or achieve desired results the nurse is able to explain how and why this maybe occurring. Most processes that need adjusted involve multiple departments, all must have representation by an individual that is will to speak truthfully and openly on behalf of their department. This individual does