The Role of the Contemporary Nursing Leader Module One NGR 6725

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams

What is Expected of Nursing Leaders Today? Good Business Skills Systems Thinkers Collaborative Approach to Leadership Knowledgeable about trends and issues impacting nursing Visionary about the Future Strong People Skills Ability to create a work environment that is safe for patients and will inspire the workforce

Major Challenges Facing Today’s Nursing Leaders Uncertainty with Healthcare Reform Declining Reimbursements Long-Term Recruitment & Retention of Staff An aging nursing workforce Financial Constraints Regulatory Requirements Growing public concern about “safe staffing and patient safety issues” Lack of “bench strength” in the nursing leadership ranks.

So what do nurses today want from their Leaders?

A Review of the Evidence tells Nurses want the following Leaders who are authentic. Leaders who are transformational. Leaders who build healthy work environments. Leaders who help frame the chaos. Leaders who develop others.

The Leadership Journey Some of you in the class have not yet taken a leadership role while some have been in leadership roles for several years. Every leader’s journey is different. Finishing a master’s degree is a good start and will provide you with great tools to begin/and or function more effectively in the role. But the following 4 slides offer other good steps to take.

Your Leadership Journey Step 1 Self-Reflection Am I seen by co-workers as someone who has integrity? Am I empathetic towards others on my team? Do I have the respect of my peers? Do I demonstrate emotional intelligence? Can I create a vision that lends direction to the work of the team? Do I have good judgment? Do I have the courage to face conflict? Am I a Self-Starter? Can I stay positive and resilient in a changing environment? Do I have a passion for nursing and can I inspire that passion in others?

Step 2 Find a Mentor Ask yourself what you want from a mentor and the mentoring experience. Reflect on your own preferences. Decide what qualities you want in a mentor Consider availability Make a list of potential mentors and ask to be mentored.

Step 3 – Volunteer for Leadership Volunteer for task forces and committees. Take charge Participate in organization community sponsored activities Attend staff meetings and voice opinions Get involved in leadership in professional organizations Get involved in political advocacy

Step 4 – Be a Continuous Learner Read and stay professionally updated Maintain an awareness of current events and how they could impact health care Network with other professionals at meetings Look for evidence-based practices Continue your education

But the Future of Nursing will be Different Our challenge is to prepare our future generation of nurse leaders to lead in an environment that will be considerably different from the one that we now live in. Tim Porter-O’Grady – on what he describes as the Moses challenge.

Future predictions – will impact nursing Reimbursement will increasing support community-based versus hospital care. Computers will assist in clinical decision making and healthcare will be more personalized. Self-Driving Cars – will reduce auto accidents by 90% Robotic Care Givers – will do some of the physical work of nursing and even some assessment. Smart phone monitoring and diagnostic devices for home use will reduce hospitalizations.

Future Nursing Workforce Skills More population focused Comfort with clinical decision support More team-based care Expertise in transitional management More roles in the community and long-term care settings Fewer positions in hospitals Aggressive community case management of high risk patients Home-based primary care visits

Key Qualities for Future Nurse Leaders User Centered Lifelong Learner Interdisciplinary Focused “Whole Person” Outcomes Oriented Visionary Conflict Embracing Inclusive Systems Thinker Risk Taker Technologically Savvy Courageous Confident Communicator Adaptive Humble Emotional Intelligence

Leaders need new ideas Listening for the future is hard work. Leaders must learn how to listen through the noise of a VUCA world – volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity. Bob Johansen – Leaders make the Future: Ten new leadership skills for an uncertain world. Published 2012