Advocacy Strategies, Leadership Outcomes

The influence of leadership can be far-reaching in practice and improving patient outcomes even when not in a formal role.

Describe advocacy strategies that you can use as a leader to create positive change in your current workplace.

A nurse in leadership capacity can influence changes in practice and improve patient outcomes using various advocacy strategies and skills such as collaboration, modeling others, enabling and empowering others to act (Whitney, 2018). A good nurse leader can advocate for the needs of the patients, fellow nurses and the entire health organization. This leader is able to communicate a shared vision and listen to others and provide feedback when necessary. At the beside, the nurse leader can initiate changes by inspiring fellow nurses via role modelling and mentoring and cultivate positive relationships with others to improve patient outcomes. mentoring is particularly important in encouraging and inspiring novice nurses to grow in their career (Whitney, 2018). An effective leader can liaise bedside nurses to management and this kind of collaboration creates opportunities to bring about positive change at the bedside. Being a proactive nurse leader also includes communicating with physicians to make sure patients with change of condition get evaluated and treated in time before the condition worsens. Motivating, inspiring and empowering my team members to act for impactful change is another way to bring a positive change to a workplace. This involves encouraging individual growth and autonomy among the nurses. Nursing staff that is empowered and supported feel valued and motivated to provide better patient care. Encouragement helps create a positive work environment that leads to staff satisfaction and lower turnover rates (Clark, 2018). They gain confidence and bring out their best. This create a positive and collaborative environment, which in turn promote improved patient care and outcome. I think also it is important as a nurse leader to help the nursing staff with professional development (Institute of Medicine, 2010).

 In response to peers, describe a time when you provided leadership and the outcome.

As a nurse student intern, I once worked in the emergency room at a small hospital. The hospital was often understaffed in the Saturday and Sunday nights and not running to full capacity.  One such night victims of multiple-vehicle accident were brought in. It happened that I was the most senior nurse present who others looked up to for direction. I rallied and mobilized everyone who knew how to handle patients of trauma to give helping hand. We were able to provide first aid and stabilize the accident victims until more experienced nurses were available. Although it was challenging for everybody, we made it without losing life. We received appreciation from the management for according accordingly. I also feel that we did a good job managing the victims until experienced team arrived. I think leadership is about leading oneself, others and by extension, the organization. Nurses are leaders whenever they act rightly and with integrity, especially when caring and helping patients at the most vulnerable times.

Was there anything that you would do differently?

One thing I would do differently is to provide high level of medical attention and handle the victims with more confidence. Since the incident, I have gained more knowledge and training to better serve victims of trauma.

Reference

Clark, C. (2018). 10 tips to boost employee engagement. American Nurse Today, 13(1), 12-14. Retrieved July 8, 2021 from https://www.americannursetoday.com/10-tips-boost-employee-engagement/

Institute of Medicine. (2010). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Retrieved July 8, 2021 from http://www.nationalacademies.org/hmd/~/media/Files/Report%20Files/2010/The-Future-of-Nursing/Future%20of%20Nursing%202010%20Report%20Brief.pdf

Whitney, S. (2018). Every nurse is a leader. Trends in Health: A nursing perspective. Retrieved July 8, 2021 from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs440vn/trends-in-health-care-a-nursing-perspective/v1.1/#/chapter/5