Needing to Interview a DON Nurse Leader

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Specializes in ambulatory/primary care.

Hello, my name is Nancy, and I am a student pursuing my master's in nursing with an emphasis in healthcare systems leadership. One of our assignments is to interview a nurse leader. I would greatly appreciate if someone in this position would respond to the interview questions, as for I am not able to complete this interview with nurse leaders I personally know. I would greatly appreciate if any nurse leader is willing to take the time to answer the following interview questions. Here are the questions:

1) Describe the organization that you work in, including the culture of the organization and your responsibilities as a leader.

2) Describe your leadership style.

3) Describe the steps taken to get in your current leadership position.

4) What has been your biggest challenge as a leader?

5) What has been your greatest achievement as a leader?

Thanks again! It would be very much appreciated!

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Why are you not able to complete this assignment with real-life nurse leaders in your community?

How are you able to verify that anyone here who answers your post is actually a nurse leader (or even a nurse)?

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Specializes in ambulatory/primary care.

I don't know why anyone would waste their time to thoughtfully respond to random interview questions if they're not even a nurse but I suppose you're right. Now, I don't mind sharing my personal reasons if you are wanting to offer helpful feedback as a nurse leader, otherwise there is no need to stray from the original post, thanks.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Okay, I will ask again...

Why cannot you interview nurse managers in your community?

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Specializes in ambulatory/primary care.

Well I am relatively new to my area and haven't been at working at my current workplace for very long. The only 2 nurse leaders I know are (who I think are incredible examples of nurse leaders) are my direct supervisor and DON, and as silly as it may sound, I am not comfortable with them knowing that I am pursuing a master's. My fear is that they will perceive me as uncommitted to the organization, or that I will leave as soon as I am done with school. Just a personal perspective I suppose.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

This would be a good opportunity to get out into the community and network with some nurse managers, make some contacts that you would not otherwise have. I would figure out where you think you might want to work or what area in which you might want to be, and contact THOSE nurse managers for interviews. I know if someone contacted me and said "I would love to work in this area at some point, can we set up an appointment to chat and I can buy you coffee?" I would be flattered and more than happy to set aside 45 minutes to chat.

I think that by doing it the way you're trying to do it here a) does not recognize the heart of the assignment, which is to network with nurse managers and become comfortable with interviewing, and b) completely puts the onus, burden and work involved on the interviewee, rather than you. THat's not right.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Case Management, Administrat.

Leadership style is leading by example and being a servant to those on my team.

Steps I took ? Years of experience and understanding the real needs of people and the value each co worker holds.

Biggest challenge as a leader ? Learning to be a better listener and seeing beyond failures.. but if you purpose to do it you can understand others like never before...

My greatest achievement as a leader has been learning that I never know it all and accepting that growth is a part of leadership.. Im going to fail. What I do with that is what causes me to excel in my leadership....

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