Leadership and Nursing

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how a leader within a nursing unit is no different than a leader in any other organizational environment. The leader must take on a dynamic role, work to influence team members and must ensure a cohesive and collaborative work environment. The paper compares this to the role of a gardener. The paper notes that good communication skills, a charismatic personality and the ability to delegate tasks effectively are all critical skills necessary for a leader to succeed in the nursing environment. Likewise, a gardener has to take charge of the plants in their environment with flexibility and adaptability.

Table of Contents:
Leadership Defined
Gardener Metaphor for Leader
Job Roles of Leader
Characteristics of a Leader
Conclusions

From the Paper:

"There are various metaphors one may use to describe the leader in the nursing environment. The metaphor that best describes my nursing unit is that of gardener. A gardener must know how to handle and raise various types of plants, possess the ability to problem solve, understand what the specific needs of each different plant are including the need for sunlight and water and also understand how to care for the garden as a whole. This is much like the responsibility associated with nursing leadership."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Anyango, H., Ziegler, H.D, & Ziegler, P.B. (1997). "The need for leadership and management training for community nurses: results of a Ugandan district health nurse survey." Journal of Community Health Nursing, 14(2): 119.
• Lanza, M.L. (1997). "Power and leadership in Psychiatric nursing: Directions for the next century." Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 33(1): 5.
• Torres, G. (1988). "The nursing education administrator: Accountable, vulnerable and oppressed." Journal of Advanced Nursing Science 3(3): 1-16.

More papers on Leadership and Nursing:

• Term Paper # 117170 : "Servant-Leadership and Nursing"
• Analytical Essay # 130624 : "Leadership and Nursing Concepts"
• Research Paper # 102974 : "Leadership and Change: The Nursing Shortage"

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