Leadership

[Lanessa Bah]

I am a 4th semester RN student:bowingpur in a two year program that has never been in a leadership position before. I am having some difficulty adapting to becoming an effective leader. My question is how do you, as a nurse, gain the qualities of a leader, and define an ideal leader and their characteristics?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Is this for an assignment?

Since I'm not familiar with your program curriculum, it's hard to say what, if any, additional course work may be beneficial. In most BSN programs, there is at least a course or two on this topic. No one expects New Graduates to demonstrate leadership skills in the workplace right away - first things first. It's more important to develop bedside competency first.

As for leadership in general, the necessary characteristics & skills vary depending on the level you are at... charge nurse is much different than Nurse Exec. I would suggest reading up on some of the 'classic' leadership theorists like Hertzberg, Senge, Covey, Kotter, etc.

[TheSquire, DNP, APRN, NP]

Leadership is a matter of delegating effectively. While I've admittedly not taken any formal for-credit classes on the topic, I did get my Eagle Scout a while back so I know something on the topic. For nurses fresh out of school, leadership is knowing when and what to pass off onto the UAPs/PCTs we'll have working for us. It also involves leading-by-example, so you should be fully willing and able to do the stuff you pass off onto the UAPs - not only does it show them your competence, but also shows your willingness to do the stuff you pass off.

[melmarie23, MSN, RN]

advocacy-both for your patients, but most importantly for yourself and your profession.

If their are any problems, face them head on. If you make mistakes, always acknowledge them and ask for assistance and/or advice on how to do better next time around.

Like TheSquire said-delegation. Its important to know how to properly delegate tasks and don't be afraid to do so.

I also think its important to always educate yourself. Make sure to be up to date on new practices and technologies and always stay in the know of EBP.

[CuriousMe]

I am a 4th semester RN student:bowingpur in a two year program that has never been in a leadership position before. I am having some difficulty adapting to becoming an effective leader. My question is how do you, as a nurse, gain the qualities of a leader, and define an ideal leader and their characteristics?

My guess is that you have been in leadership roles....just not official ones.

But anyway, you've definitely been a member in a group who had a leader.....so, what did you appreciate from your leader? Who led a group you've been in well? What did they do?

That should help you with some leadership qualities.

[diane227, LPN, RN]

The answer to your question about what a leader is and how to be one is a question that fills multiple books and everyone has their own opinion of what makes a good leader. Being a leader is different than being a manager. Almost anyone can be taught basic management and how to manage a shift or a department from day to day but to teach someone to be a leader is more difficult. Leaders are often born. You will find a more than average number of leaders to be a only child or a first child in a family. Leaders are people who are able to see beyond tomorrow and are able to look at the future and see where they want to be and then are able to make a plan to get there. Leaders have the capability of getting people to follow them, willingly, in the direction that he/she wants to go.

You might want to look on the internet for a guy named Quint Studer. He is a mega leader and is an excellent example.