Tell me about a nurse leader or manager who influenced you. What were the qualities about this person that made him/her a great leader or manager?
Nursing Leader Interview Assignment
Order Description
have conducted an interview with a Nursing manager. I have attached that interview. Please utilize References Kouzes & Posner. (2012). J-B Leadership Challenge. 5th edition. Chapters 6 & 7 and any other references. This is a reflective paper. Thank you
RN to BSN program
NUR 4827 Leadership and Management in Professional Nursing
Nursing Leader Interview Assignment
Objective:
Conduct an interview of a highly respected community nursing leader from a variety of healthcare settings; hospital administration, long term care administration, clinical nurse specialists, clinical educators and clinical supervisors/managers; nurse researchers, community health leaders; nurse educators, professors, nurse politicians and lobbyists. The focus of the interview will be on topics such as leadership style and practices, communication technique, responsibilities, vision for nursing and problems that nursing in general faces over the next 5 to 10 years.
Each student will be required to write a reflection on their interview experience.
These questions should be answered during your scheduled interview. Please be thorough in your write up of the answers. Please use a scholarly format.
This interview was conducted with Nancy Smith RN. BSN. Manager of PreOp Holding, Post Anesthesia Care Unit and Pre Anesthesia Testing.
1. Please tell me about your role, education and professional experience.
I obtained my BSN at UF in 1981. My career started at Shands Teaching Hospital in 1982, on a Med/Surg unit. My love for Oncology nursing then took me to St. Josephs in the Oncology Unit. Next was the Critical Care Program at TGH, where upon completion I worked in ICU for 2 years. I then transferred to Moffitt in 1991, to work Oncology Critical Care, and currently am Patient Care Manager of the PACU, Pre-Op Holding, and PAT units (since 2007).
2. How do you define leadership?
A strong component of leadership is focusing on employees strengths, not only weaknesses. This correlates with retaining top notch nurses. Reward and Recognition plays a part, and I helped develop a program at Moffitt (Honored Nurse Program) that fairly recognizes nurses on a point system. It has been successful and extrapolates the Nurse of the Year in 4 categories.
Good leadership leads to a caring work environment, and delegation plays a big role. Delegation, whether its for a patient safety initiative or tied into nurse satisfaction incentive, makes the employees feel secure about their practice and their ownership of their unit. This in turn makes them feel comfortable with their leaders. I rely on the frontline nurses to help navigate the unit, while abiding by institutional policies and ASPAN (American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses) Standards of Care and guidelines.
3. How do you Model the Way?
I believe I set a good example at Moffitt, when I was at the bedside and currently, as a leader. I have always been fair in all decision making, and honest in my relations to others. I dont make hasty judgements without pulling in all concerned parties. I will defend patient safety and nurse integrity at all costs. I follow the rules, but have compassion for others and know life is not black and white and you have to be able to bend at times, for those in need. Understanding patient needs is key, and I make patient and family rounds to explore their thoughts and suggestions.
I was selected as the first winner of Excellence in Nursing Management award, in 2014. As surprised as I was, I now reflect back and believe it was due to my continual dedication to Moffitt and its mission, and my respectful attitude to all , that gave me the honors.
I have been committed to Moffitt patients for 25 years, and truly believe in the mission: To contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. I am proud to work here and all of my Direct Reports and peers know its my passion.
4. How has assertiveness and/or conflict resolution played a part in your practice?
Assertiveness can have a negative connotation, but as a patient advocate its necessary to insert this trait at times. I always treated my patients like they were family, and feel like I represent my staff members in the same manner. When either is threatened, by a disrespectful physician or an angry patient, I deal with it professionally, but assertively.
I am involved with many conflict resolution issues, but promote peer to peer resolution. Staff attended conflict resolution classes, and we have conducted role playing to encourage peer to peer resolutions. Everyone knows if and when this is not possible, that I am available, but only with all parties present. I take pride in the fact that most issues get resolved before they come to me, as the group feels empowered to resolve things on their own.
5. What is your personal communication style?
Assertive communication is my style. I listen to others and ask questions to confirm what I have heard. Often times, compromise is involved.
6. How do you inspire a vision?
I look into the future and try to plan for health care changes and advancements in technology. This requires utilizing resources and be open to new ideas.
7. How do you see yourself as a change agent in driving organizational outcomes?
I am involved with projects that will improve efficiencies, and increase patient
satisfaction.
8. How do you challenge the process?
Contacting resources and collecting and presenting data usually gets someones attention that can help make change.
9. How do you enable others to act?
I have high expectations of professionalism and accountability, and am proud of that.
10. Please discuss prioritizing and delegation as it applies to nurse-client situations.
If safety is breached (or potential was high) I act immediately and investigate all angles. I am hands on for patient/family complaints, as well. I do empower the Clinical Leaders to take first action, if they can stop an issue from escalating. I have excellent Clinical Leaders in all departments that can usually thwart a negative behavioral event.
11. Tell me about a nurse leader or manager who influenced you. What were the qualities about this person that made him/her a great leader or manager?
My ex-director, was hard working and dedicated to improving quality. She was opinionated, but was usually right! She was fearless in her pursuit of letting the nurse work to the top of their licensure.
12. How do you inspire the heart of your staff?
I hope I inspire the staff by showing I am a people person that cares about not only the
patient and family, but them, as well. I respect all employees, no matter where they
work. I am always available and make rounds often, so I feel like I connect with each
one.
