Abstract This paper examines how nurses, as leaders of their profession, are responsible for shaping the future of the nursing profession as a whole in accordance with societal needs and in conformity with law. The paper explains that as time passes and the professional identity of nursing and leaders becomes more prominent, especially in the face of sweeping health care changes, the issues pertaining to role development and goal-setting will eventually be addressed adequately. The paper then looks at how, in practice, it is the nurses who play a large part in formulating and implementing patient care plans, evaluating their outcomes and continuously improving the quality of care. The paper concludes that the nurse leader's expanded role as researcher, planner, policy-maker, educator, leader and collaborator testify to the greater ethical responsibilities nurses share towards patients, colleagues and the populations they affect through their decisions.
Outline:
Introduction
Impact of Formal and Informal Power within the Organization
Personal Leadership Style
Leadership Challenges
Leadership Analysis
Conclusion
From the Paper "The impact of formal power within this organization is unique in that a military component is prominent. Informal power, on the other hand, is less prominent. As a formal power structure, the military hierarchy is prominent but not as rigid as in combat (line) settings in that seniority (i.e. rank) can override decisions irrespective of health profession affiliation. Nonetheless, the military hierarchy is still respected. While this is usually not the case with respect to clinical decisions (as expert power is still respected between disciplines), administrative decision making is different. Regardless of the assignment duration of senior ranking officers, their decisions are followed."
