Leadership in nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Leadership in nursing - Essay Example This paper aims to provide a model of leadership in nursing. It also outlines factors that influence leadership styles, discusses approaches to leadership and the impact of the leadership style on nursing care. Besides, impact on nursing education/practice, role of the nurse, problem identification, solution, and nursing implication is discussed at length. Leadership is about knowing how to make visions become reality. This definition remains constant whether it is nursing, medical or healthcare leadership. In general the vision that nurses have is one where patients are treated with dignity and respect at all times; where systems are designed for the benefit of individual needs; and where the work performed by nurses is valued and respected. From a nursing perspective the three key foundation stones that helped nursing achieve the vision of a patient centred health service are development of patient centred care measures as part of performance management and the clinical governance agenda; leadership based on personal growth and development principles and; new clinical career and competency framework for nursing (Kitson, 2001). Achieving these visions will require a paradigm shift in the philosophy, priorities, policies, and power relationships of the health service. While a fall in the number of nursing leaders may be attributed to the current nursing shortage, studies have noted that there is also a significant deficiency in the number of nursing leaders. Even at major research and teaching hospitals, chief financial officers are worried about the scarcity of nursing staff (Singhapattanapong, 2002). Unfortunately an overlooked aspect of this nursing shortage is the dearth of leaders among nurses. In 2002, nurses are in a distinct position to influence healthcare policy and legislation. There is a need for nursing leadership to exert that influence and by nurturing both