Bringing Nurse Leadership and Advocacy Together

Strong leadership skills among healthcare providers are crucial in the process of transforming the healthcare sector. Nurses are leading the transformation. As a result, nursing leadership and advocacy are critical skills for all nurses. Nurses need to develop leaders across the healthcare system to work as full partners with other healthcare providers and provide the best possible care (King & Gerald, 2013). Although not all nurses start their careers to become leaders in the healthcare industry, all nurses must become leaders by design to effectively advocate for better reforms (Harris, Roussel, & Thomas). It is from this realization that it is important to undertake a self-analysis for personal strengths and weaknesses in terms of leadership skills as a nursing professional. In this paper, I will provide my evaluation of leadership skills and competencies based on personal and professional accountability, career planning, personal journey disciplines and reflective practice reference behaviors/tenants.

Personal and Professional Accountability

In terms of personal growth and development, I am at a better position in becoming a nursing leader based on my academic level. I am currently, pursuing my degree in nursing which I am optimistic that it will give me a head start towards becoming an active nursing leader. Besides, I do ensure that my ethical behavior and practice is in line with the required standards for nursing leaders. Another strength I have is that I am a registered member of the American Nurses Association which will be key in facilitating networking as well as professional development. However, I have some weaknesses in professional accountability d in terms of certification since I am yet to graduate.

Career Planning

In terms of career planning, my key role as a nursing professional as well as the requirements and job description are still hazy at the moment because I am still schooling. Therefore, I have novice experience in this area. However, I have a well-formulated plan in the career. First, I am compassionate and caring. These are two important factors in career development as a nursing professional. In addition, I have a better understanding of the healthcare sector and the likely needs going to arise. This gives me the motivation to prepare well in my current academic life. Besides, an understanding of the future in my career as a nurse, I have positioned myself at the rightful place which will aid my career take-off as a leader in the healthcare sector by having a well laid out career path.

Personal Journey Discipline

Personally, I have novice experience in shared leadership/council management. I have not been actively involved in any management roles in the field which is a key requirement in developing strong leadership skills as a nursing professional. On the other hand, I am competent in action learning. This is an important skill which I have learned in the course of my studies as well as working closely with health-related organizations. Through action learning, I have also gained insights in setting goals and working towards them efficiently. I also have strengths in the areas of reflective practice. I have undergone through various leadership training and also participated in a number of activities as a team leader whose main role is to reflect on the expected accomplishments and plan on behalf of the team.

Reflective Practice Reference Behaviors/Tenants

These include a set of guidelines which are important towards reflective practice. First, I am an expert in holding the truth. I loathe lying, and therefore truth becomes my primary pillar of integrity. Secondly, I have expert experience in diversity. Growing in a multicultural community as well as schools has taught me the power of diversity and working together regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation among other differences. However, I do have some weaknesses in reflective practice such as appreciating ambiguity. I do take more time to adjust and function comfortably in a new environment. On the other hand, I am an expert in open debates. I can hold multiple perspectives without judgment. This is particularly important to me as an aspiring nurse leader because I can hold productive talks with various stakeholders in the healthcare sector and come up with the most suitable solutions. This has also been one way on how I have discovered my personal potential. I have a strong quest for adventure and learning. I also read widely to nurture my intellectual and emotional self. Lastly, I have expert experience in keeping commitment to myself.

The goal I have in using my leadership skills to improve the cultural competence among fellow nurses at the workplace. Cultural competence is an important factor for all aspiring nurse leaders in order to effectively attend to patients and discuss health-related issues from a global perspective with ease (Dayer-Berenson, 2011). This can be implemented by introducing exchange programs at the workplace for people to learn from other cultures.

References

Dayer-Berenson, L. (2011). Cultural Competencies for Nurses: Impact on Health and Illness. Sudbury, Mass. : Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Harris, J., Roussel, L., & Thomas, P. (2017). Initiating and sustaining the clinical nurse leader role: a practical guide. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

King, C., & Gerald, S. (2013). Clinical nurse leader certification review. New York: Springer Pub. Co.