1. The Role of the Contemporary Nursing Leader
Module One
NGR 6725

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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. So what do nurses today want from their Leaders?

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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?

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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