Introduction
The Obama administration’s healthcare agenda calls for expanded health insurance coverage for all Americans. As a direct result of policies implemented after close to a decade in national leadership, the Obama administration expects to increase the scope of America’s health care delivery system to benefit additional tens of millions of American citizens. As the demand for quality health care service increases, the strain on the system also increases, requiring improvements and more efficient management of resources.
Nursing professionals must take a more proactive role in implementing changes, as well as developing strategies needed in improving quality care. Nursing professionals must focus on enhancing leadership capabilities while advocating for positive changes in the health care delivery process. As a result, the proponent of this study examines her capability to undertake a managerial role using an assessment tool called the Nurse Manager Skills Inventory (“NMSI”) framework.
Self-Assessment Using NMSI
There are four major areas that nurse managers should look into when it comes to upgrading leadership and management skills. These four content areas are listed as follows: 1) personal and professional accountability; 2) career planning; 3) personal injury disciplines; and 4) reflective practice reference resource management; performance improvement; and foundational thinking skills (The American Organization of Nurse Executives, 2006).
Based on current knowledge regarding these four leadership parameters, the self-assessment score is uniform for all the four areas, because the proponent of this study believes her skill level is at the beginner or novice level. At this point, the learning pace and learning capability are that of a new learner, acquiring skills and knowledge as she goes along with her job supporting an experienced leader in one of the respected learning institutions in the land (Yoder-Size, 2014).
Personal and Professional Accountability
Due to the admission of acquiring only novice skills and limited understanding of issues related to financial management, human resource management, performance improvement, and foundational thinking skills, it is imperative to study and learn about these issues and leadership parameters. Therefore, the best attitude is that of a learner.
Career Planning
Based on a personal understanding of skills and aspirations, it is best to aim for a career related to human resource management. This career path is compatible with the proponent’s skill set, personality, and personal goals. In addition, it is a good platform to stand on and develop in order to solve a perennial problem in the nursing profession, and it is none other than the so-called nurse staffing crisis due to the nursing shortage.
It is, therefore, important to access appropriate and updated materials regarding the issues of human resource management in the country. It is also critical to study diverse fields in nursing management that are directly or indirectly affected by the said crisis. Nonetheless, a career that focused on human resource management is not only a personal fit, but it is also a key component in building strategies that can help ease the critical issue like lack of workers or the presence of unmotivated employees.
Personal Journey Disciplines
It has to be pointed out that the learning process is understood through the metaphor of traveling or the pursuit of a meaningful goal. One of the critical aspects of the learning quest is the ability to monitor progress and to add value so that the intrinsic value of the person grows as time progresses. More importantly, it is good to realize that fact that it has always been the internal conflict between the stakeholders and key leaders within the organization that oftentimes destroy a perfectly working system. Thus, it is imperative to develop an organized learning structure that enhances the learning capabilities of all workers.
It is difficult to achieve goals that are related to improvements in leadership and management without the use of effective assessment tools. Data gathering mechanisms must be deployed without fail in order to acquire appropriate information that can help in the development of winning formulas. It is great of importance to continue learning and studying. It is only through this mindset that leads to an adherence of a lifestyle that encourages better results.
Reflective Practice
The proponent of the study finds it practical to identify leadership skills that advocate change in the workplace. In this regard, it is good to use leadership skills in terms of effective communication capabilities that helps others improve on their limitations. Aside from communication, the skills that require greater attention are team building skills and related capabilities needed to solve problems as a team.
In order to implement these proposed changes, it is important to acquire the correct skills and appropriate knowledge needed for the job. In addition, it is prudent to communicate the value and long-term impact of changes in the culture of the organization and how problems are solved. It is of great value to seek the assistance of other people. It is only through their help and support that the leader can accomplish the said goals.
Conclusion
The need to increase health care coverage dwelled heavy on the mind of people who understood the inadequacy of the broken health system at the turn of the 21st century. A significant component of the solution requires the emergence of skilled leaders within the nursing profession. The prudent use of the NMSI is a step into the right direction.
References
Finkler, s. (2007). Financial management. St. Louis, Missouri: Suanders.
Nurse Manager Leadership Patnership. (2006). Nurse, manager skills inventory. Web.
Yoder-Wise, P. (2014). Leading and managing in nursing. Web.