The field of nursing has undergone a tremendous evolution that poises it to adequately handle modern challenges. The theme of leadership resonates throughout nursing and seldom much is achievable without it at the personal and organizational level. The qualities that make good leaders are personality characteristics that poise them to succeed in their role. These attributes manifest as solid principles, trust, transparency, and profound respect for people, supplemented by sincerity in humility and the courage to express fragility (Alvesson and Einola, 2019). Other authorities posit an unquenchable need for knowledge, readiness to take calculated chances, bend regulations, and sometimes go with gut instincts (Robbins and Davidhizar, 2020). Adaptability and the flexibility to change with the times is also a requirement (Bianchi et al., 2018). The traits that make a good leader include self-regulation, moral courage, good judgement, proper priority orientation, disposal and concentration and communication and this essay will explore them and why leadership is important within nursing.
Self-regulation is one of the most important personal qualities for success in any institution. This skill is a crucial part of improving one’s chances for job recognition and advancement (Hassmiller and Pulcini, 2020). Controlling the biochemical impulses that generate feelings and managing one’s moods are examples of self-regulation. Mistakes are part of everyday work and it requires a leader with this trait to remain unflustered and take control. Losing temper often leads to negative outcomes that self-regulation helps avoid (Hassmiller and Pulcini, 2020). A leader with this trait would first investigate the root cause of the problem and play his part in finding the solution. This attributes fosters an environment of trust and equality in which work, rather than politics, assume centre stage. Individuals with this characteristic quickly adjust to changes and are prepared to take on leadership duties. David Goleman emphasizes the importance of self-regulation in increasing integrity, which functions as a backbone to the institution and protects it against impulsive conduct (Ellis, 2021). Emotional self-regulation is usually clearly visible among influential leaders in an organization and supplements moral courage.
The bravery to embrace those actions that one feels are proper, even in the face of harsh criticism, is an attribute a leader must have to succeed. This trait encourages followers and makes the individual a remarkable personality in their eyes (Motacki, 2022). Mahatma Gandhi is among the most outstanding leaders who showed exceptional moral bravery in sticking to his principles, making him a notable figure of the century (Motacki, 2022). It is crucial to be consistent in the display of moral courage to achieve success. Identifying the proper occasions calls for a good sense of judgement.
Successful leaders can make accurate decisions by connecting with others and applying their intellect. A leader builds the quality of making proper assessments by making inquiries of several individuals and paying attention to their responses. This trait will give them a good view of the landscape and make choices that lead to positive outcomes (Laureani and Antony 2017). Good judgement also allows them to know when to step in and take control or stand back and allow the situation to unfold (Bianchi et al., 2018). Often the proper action involves selecting the order in which events will be executed, which is where priority orientation comes in.
A variety of challenges will develop when one is in charge a business, department, institution and leading people. A great leader prioritizes concerns, puts slight difficulties on hold, and concentrates on significant matters that require immediate attention (Semuel et al., 2017). The leader will first address topics that significantly influence the business’s progress before coming to those involving day-to-day running. To do well in this regard requires a combination of the qualities discussed above and the ability to concentrate on one issue at a time.
One of the most critical characteristics of a great leader is the ability to focus. A leader’s ability to effectively allocate energy and time among conflicting challenges leads to success (Bagheri and Akbari, 2018). Preserving energy may enable leaders to confront difficulties with vim and power. Winston Churchill is an example of an influential leader with this exceptional characteristic. This quality of disposal and concentration is how many people in positions of power are able to accomplish a lot in a relatively short time (Xu, 2017). They give all their attention to one problem and after addressing it turn to another, without thinking of multiple ones at a time. The whole process is completed with effectively communicating the decision arrived at.
The ability to communicate effectively is a crucial characteristic of a successful leader. In all situations, the leader must be able to precisely explain his ideas and orders to his subordinates so that they may expect them to perform in the manner they desire. Employees are an important resource for any company and how well they perform is usually tied to the clarity of the directives they receive (Stronge and Xu2021). Clear and concise communication outlines each individual’s tasks and roles and does not leave anyone in doubt of their responsibilities.
Studying the most influential leaders in the world, one quickly realizes that they embody most or all of the characteristics discussed above. The modern business environment is characterized by intense competition and success requires that one develops these traits. The same is true for nursing, given the important role it plays in ensuring the overall good health of the population. No field can operate efficiently and effectively without the tutelage of strong, capable individuals, and this profession is not any different.
Nurse leaders now constitute the bulk of the health sector. Every day, excellent nurse leaders inspire, motivate, and encourage their staff on their professional trajectories. They are often experienced nurses or executives who have improved their talents to rise to the leadership level. Competent nurse leaders are critical because teams are only as effective as they are prepared to be (Bagheri and Akbari, 2018). Strong nurse leaders create a more unified workforce, enhancing the entire patient experience. Many people characterize good nurse leaders as motivating, inspirational, helpful and flexible (Hassmiller and Pulcini, 2020). These qualities are important because this profession plays an important role in ensuring a healthy population.
Nursing leadership is critical, as the health system has encountered several problems recently. These difficulties include an older population, hospitals operating at capacity, and significant nurse replacement. The COVID-19 epidemic put an enormous strain on healthcare executives, showing the importance of robust leaders that can respond quickly and help their employees (Robbins and Davidhizar, 2020). Events like the pandemic are handled more effectively with individuals in this position that can ensure that all stakeholders feel safe no matter the circumstances.
Leadership in the field of nursing is crucial because it has a direct influence on the movement and evolution of healthcare units. It impacts an organization’s success and the level of service it provides to its patients (Hassmiller and Pulcini, 2020). A patient must have confidence in their healthcare providers, which is achieved by having qualified nurse leaders onboard (Spurgeon et al., 2017). Leadership establishes the desired mood and tone, especially in troubled times.
Clinical nursing leadership is essential for the success of any health institution. Clinical nurse leaders are crucial in maintaining nursing service quality, output, and cost-effectiveness (Barr and Dowding, 2022). Efficient clinical leadership skills allow nurses to supervise and assist patients and medical teams. It also facilitates treatment and enhances the care given to patients, which leads to better outcomes (Sfantou et al., 2017). Furthermore, clinical nurse leadership influences the quality and safety of the care offered. Nurse leaders prioritize the safety of patients while delivering nursing services like medication therapy, wound care, disease prevention, and patient information to achieve the best patient outcomes.
The importance of nurse leadership lies in establishing a standard for patient care. Nurse leaders play a crucial role in determining the quality of services provided, setting up all stakeholders for good outcomes. Different styles must be used for proper functioning in this role because it is the best way to discover the help to provide. Figureheads who are well-equipped with the proper abilities allow the profession to adequately deal with any medical occurrences.
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