Graduate-Level Prepared Nurses and Their Leadership Role Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) execute their roles within a clearly defined framework which is specific for the graduate-level prepared nurse. This framework is comprised of seven core competencies that allow APRNs to practice their roles in the most efficient manner while ensuring the best possible health outcomes for patients and their families. Although direct clinical practice has been identified as being fundamental and the most important competency within the role of the APRN, leadership remains a core competency with significant implications for APRNs as it impacts several areas of the APRN’s professional and clinical practice. APRN leadership may be exercised in practice within four strategic areas that include: (a) in clinical practice environments, (b) in the nursing profession, (a) at the systems level, and (d) in the health policy arena. (Hamric, Hanson, Tracy, & O 'Grady, 2014, p. 267). The breadth of the leadership skills required of APRNs may involve advocating on behalf of one individual patient or supporting a change in national health policy. The concept of leadership is further addressed by Hamric et al. (2014), by offering a conceptualization that “encompasses three distinct defining characteristics—mentoring, innovation, and activism.” (p. 266). Seeking additional information regarding my personal leadership style, I took the quiz providing the most objective assessment in every answer. The results of the quiz revealed that my leadership style leans heavily towards the participative style of leadership which is also known as democratic leadership. (“About.com Psychology,” n.d.). I concur with the findings as I consider myself to be a participative or democratic leader.
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As a participative leader I have learned to gather and value the input of others, this has helped solve problems in a more efficient manner as input from those with more specialized or advanced knowledge allows for a more comprehensive foundation of expertise that yields a better outcome. Further, more precise and effective solutions can be achieved when collaboration is encouraged as every group member contributes based on their own level of expertise. This is of particular significance in the healthcare environment as an APRN in a leadership role has to collaborate with physicians and other members of the healthcare delivery team with the aim of maximizing the positive health outcomes of the patients under his or her care. (“About.com Psychology,” n.d.). Being cognizant of the role played by the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP); I was pleased to find that my leadership style, participatory, conforms to my objective of being able to establish collaborative relationships with other members of the healthcare delivery team. This strengthens by belief and affinity for this particular leadership style as it will not only motivate colleagues to contribute their expertise towards maximizing patient outcomes; but it will also encourage all parties involved to provide their input, thus ensuring that our collaborative effort yields the best health outcome for patients and their families. As the APRN’s role continues to evolve; leadership has moved outside the realm of nursing into a more complex, interdisciplinary, and collaborative arena. …show more content…
Hamric et al. (2014), contemplate that this expansion of leadership responsibilities establishes that “several personal attributes are deemed necessary for successful leadership” (p. 281). To that end, the authors ascertain several attributes necessary to be an effective APRN leader. The attributes cited include vision and timing, expert communication and relationship building, self-confidence and risk-taking, as well as global awareness and respect for cultural diversity. (pp. 281-285). Among these attributes, vision is referred to as being an essential component of leadership as well as being the leadership talent that is sought-after the most. This attribute is given such prominence in a leader because it comprises the ability of foreseeing and anticipating solutions that may differ from current methods. In other words, a leader who possesses a visionary style is an innovator and is able to convey a vision while being able to inspire and empower other group members to work towards achieving a collective goal. (Hamric et al., 2014). In my chosen APRN specialty track (FNP), I am able to relate all leadership attributes to my future role in clinical practice. However, there are some individual leadership attributes that I consider are more attuned to my personal leadership capabilities, with vision being the one attribute where I can make a positive impact on the role of APRNs. I base this assertion on
As a participative leader I have learned to gather and value the input of others, this has helped solve problems in a more efficient manner as input from those with more specialized or advanced knowledge allows for a more comprehensive foundation of expertise that yields a better outcome. Further, more precise and effective solutions can be achieved when collaboration is encouraged as every group member contributes based on their own level of expertise. This is of particular significance in the healthcare environment as an APRN in a leadership role has to collaborate with physicians and other members of the healthcare delivery team with the aim of maximizing the positive health outcomes of the patients under his or her care. (“About.com Psychology,” n.d.). Being cognizant of the role played by the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP); I was pleased to find that my leadership style, participatory, conforms to my objective of being able to establish collaborative relationships with other members of the healthcare delivery team. This strengthens by belief and affinity for this particular leadership style as it will not only motivate colleagues to contribute their expertise towards maximizing patient outcomes; but it will also encourage all parties involved to provide their input, thus ensuring that our collaborative effort yields the best health outcome for patients and their families. As the APRN’s role continues to evolve; leadership has moved outside the realm of nursing into a more complex, interdisciplinary, and collaborative arena. …show more content…
Hamric et al. (2014), contemplate that this expansion of leadership responsibilities establishes that “several personal attributes are deemed necessary for successful leadership” (p. 281). To that end, the authors ascertain several attributes necessary to be an effective APRN leader. The attributes cited include vision and timing, expert communication and relationship building, self-confidence and risk-taking, as well as global awareness and respect for cultural diversity. (pp. 281-285). Among these attributes, vision is referred to as being an essential component of leadership as well as being the leadership talent that is sought-after the most. This attribute is given such prominence in a leader because it comprises the ability of foreseeing and anticipating solutions that may differ from current methods. In other words, a leader who possesses a visionary style is an innovator and is able to convey a vision while being able to inspire and empower other group members to work towards achieving a collective goal. (Hamric et al., 2014). In my chosen APRN specialty track (FNP), I am able to relate all leadership attributes to my future role in clinical practice. However, there are some individual leadership attributes that I consider are more attuned to my personal leadership capabilities, with vision being the one attribute where I can make a positive impact on the role of APRNs. I base this assertion on