Nurse leadership: 4 strategies to positively lead through change
In this period of time when Nurse Leadership is in the spotlight, it is important for nurses to understand their own uniqueness and how to identify and relate to others. Nurses have a unique opportunity to shape change in society for the better. They are a major influence in the improvement of health care and nursing practices. Let’s examine 4 strategies to positively lead through change.
A Nurse should take charge at every level-from administrative to clinical. By doing so, they not only become important to departments but also the whole organization. Take a leadership role yourself. Identify areas that need improvement. Organize with other leaders and staff to find ways to resolve issues.
When necessary, step-up your leadership role. Volunteer for extra work, take on board responsibilities in your department and communicate your ideas to other leaders. A key element in nurse leadership is effective communication. You’ll help make a positive impact if you provide clear, concise direction that includes listening, taking feedback, implementing changes and continuing to build on the strengths of your team.
The creation of change begins with leadership. Establishing effective leaders-in-transition will help to transform the organization. Manage the transformation wisely. If the leaders leave the organization, it will only weaken the purpose.
There are many individuals who need mentoring. Look for people who are willing to be open and vulnerable. A good leader-mentor relationship will be based on trust, support and respect. It is important that you cultivate these characteristics if you want to achieve success.
Remember that change is inevitable. You must be adaptive to meet these changes head on. Nurse leadership involves more than simply providing advice to patients. You must actually be a change agent yourself. By following these strategies, you will be well on your way to effectively leading through change.
You cannot expect to manage or direct without creating change. In order to effectively lead change you must identify change and its causes. Then, you must plan how to address those causes. A key component to successfully managing change is the involvement of the staff. They must understand the reason behind the change and be actively engaged in managing it.
Nurses should be encouraged, not threatened. In an effort to be more effective, leaders must take an honest assessment of their own shortcomings and set out clear goals. Nurses are the key to creating that agenda, so don’t shy away from asking them for input. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can serve as the foundation for your efforts.
Leaders must know when to step aside and when to take responsibility. When necessary, give others the chance to assume that leadership role. Don’t hold everyone accountable. Periodically review your performance and reassess your skills. By following these 4 strategies to improve your nursing leadership skills, you can be successful.