A Reflective Journal

Leadership and the Unique Role of the Nursing Within the Healthcare System

Leadership is a crucial aspect of any healthcare system, particularly when acknowledging the role of the nurses. In a health system, there is a dire need to have principled and ethical leaders who work hard to ensure that the culture and environment are changed for the ultimate benefit of the patient. This essay seeks to illuminate various principles of leadership that a successful nurse leader needs to advocate in a bid to realize unique and quality service delivery to the patients in a healthcare system.

The foundation of embracing unique leadership principles in the nursing profession focuses on the application of the transformational leadership and evidence-based management. Crucial changes should be done in the work environment to provide for employees’ satisfaction, commitment to excellence, improved communication and building a culture around the service offered. As a young and committed nurse, I learned throughout the course that, the aspect of leadership is fundamental in giving the direction in which the duties are provided. Essentially, the difference between one health care and another is the nature of leadership that exits. In a well-nurtured culture of professional leadership, the quality of the services offered to the patients is usually up to standard. In my work as a nurse, I came across one case of a young child with Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), and I was supposed to administer a central line through the minor operation. Most of the mistakes that nurses commit during this process are associated with poor leadership skills, which includes accepting interruptions at the critical stages. I learned that such a dangerous procedure requires independence and high-level decision-making. As a good leader committed to professional and ethical excellence in the nursing profession, I endeavored to focus on one case at a time (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2011).

This is a hard decision to make especially when there is an emergency; however, I would always manage to complete a case at a time because I always treated any case that required an operation as an emergency. During this time, I acquired a lot of knowledge on how to handle complex cases. For instance, for one to become a trusted and professional nurse leader, he/she need to embrace various aspects, which include diligence, respect for humanity, social justice, and altruism. All these elements help a nurse leader to be considerate enough before making a decision. Besides, I learned that my leadership skills enhanced sept by step through the professional training, which touches on the vast area of the healthcare system. During the course, I got a chance to attend one of the training on Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI). One of the speakers highlighted one of the common mistakes nurses’ commits when handling patients suffering from this disease as being the cautious and adherents of hand hygiene before donning gloves. Best health practices form one of the pillars of the best practices of evidence-based projects that require clear and optimum observance of the regulations and procedure of any case (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2011).

Conclusion

In conclusion, throughout my course and practice as a nurse, I learned that leadership defines the healthcare system completely regarding the standards of the evidence-based projects. A nurse becomes a model and performs unique roles in the system not because of the passion for work, but also burden to adhere to the professional principles. Strict adherence to what is mentioned in this essay will see nurses grow professionally, and always embrace diversity and background of various patients.