Leadership and Organizational Structure, Coursework Example

Introduction

In healthcare organizations, it is necessary to establish strong organizational structures with knowledgeable and experienced leaders at the helm to conduct efficient operations and to demonstrate the value of high quality patient care and treatment at all times. Effective nursing care requires a greater understanding of the challenges of nursing practice in the modern era and its impact on patient outcomes. Therefore, this process is reflective of a shift in organizational culture and attitudes for many individuals who otherwise would struggle with the concepts associated with quality of care, communication, and efficiency in the workplace setting. These findings suggest that many individuals within nursing leadership positions struggle to find a balance between the needs of nursing units and the challenges of other external factors, such as medical coverage, technology integration, and other issues. Therefore, nurse leaders must recognize these concerns and demonstrate their ability to be flexible and to recognize the advantages of high quality patient care and treatment in the face of adversity and shrinking resources within the nursing environment.

Analysis

There are significant challenges related to nursing leadership in the 21^st Century. Many of these concerns are related to the difficulties brought forth by healthcare reform, as well as the limited availability of resources, staffing cuts, and other concerns that impact quality of patient care. Therefore, nurses in leadership roles must assume a number of important responsibilities in these roles in order to be effective and influential as part of a larger team dynamic (Bamford-Wade and Moss, 2010). Under these conditions, it is important to recognize the value of patient care in providing nurses with a platform for excellence and achievement within their units (Bamford-Wade and Moss, 2010). Therefore, transformational leadership plays an important role in these processes and supports the continued development of new perspectives in order to ensure that patient care outcomes are met in a timely and efficient manner (Bamford-Wade and Moss, 2010). Transformational leadership plays a critical role in these processes through the continued development of new perspectives that impart trust, understanding, flexibility, and passion for the nursing profession (Bamford-Wade and Moss, 2010). These efforts have a significant impact on nursing operations and the ability to be effective in supporting nurses by transforming the organizational culture in order to embrace successful outcomes for nurses and for patients (Bamford-Wade and Moss, 2010). However, perhaps the most important instrument that nurse leaders provide their staff members with is motivation, because this represents an opportunity to advance specific agendas that will have a positive impact on patient care outcomes (Bamford-Wade and Moss, 2010).

Another perspective to consider is preserving the health and wellbeing of the nursing workforce through specific actions that are designed to encourage positive outcomes and favorable actions to support effective nursing care at all times (Sherman and Pross, 2010). This is best achieved through the identification of individuals who will serve in a positive capacity as nurse leaders and who represent the fundamental core values and beliefs of nurses in order to satisfy patient outcomes (Sherman and Pross, 2010). Therefore, nurse leaders must work to establish a healthy and nurturing work environment in order to accomplish new objectives that will improve quality of care over time (Sherman and Pross, 2010). From this perspective, nurse leaders must recognize their roles in this process and must be willing to work proactively to ensure that that patient care outcomes are met through specific measures of performance and other concerns that have an impact in this manner (Sherman and Pross, 2010). The health and wellbeing of the nursing population must also be considered because it has a significant impact on the ability to deliver high quality of care at a consistent level for all patients (Sherman and Pross, 2010). Therefore, effective leadership must be demonstrated at all levels so that nurses are adequately prepared to manage these roles and to assume responsibility for the important needs of their patients at all times (Sherman and Pross, 2010). These efforts will go a long way in shaping the direction of nursing practice and in engaging nurses to support healthier work environments (Sherman and Pross, 2010).

Conclusion

Nursing leadership activities are represented in many different ways and must demonstrate the importance of different perspectives and factors in achieving high quality of care and favorable patient outcomes. Under these circumstances, it is necessary for the selection of nurse leaders to be based upon their ability to be organized, detail-oriented, efficient, and passionate in regards to patient care. These conditions must also support the ever-changing scope of nursing practice as objectives are modified and new directions are taken in order to reduce costs and improve efficiency over time. Nurse leaders must demonstrate their willingness to be effective communicators and provide adequate support to patients, but also to nurses who may struggle with their daily roles and responsibilities. It is necessary for current and future nurse leaders to be effective communicators and to demonstrate their ability to exercise sound and reasonable judgment in all areas of nursing practice, as these contributions will play an important role in shaping high quality patient care outcomes. When these circumstances are evident, nursing quality will improve, nurses will be motivated and passionate regarding their roles, and patients will demonstrate satisfaction and support of the nurses with whom they interact in the healthcare environment.

References

Bamford-Wade, A., and Moss, C. (2010). Transformational leadership and shared governance: an action study. Journal of Nursing Management, 18, 815-821.

Sherman, R., and Pross, E. (2010). Growing future nurse leaders to build and sustain healthy work environments at the unit level. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 15(1), retrieved from http://gm6.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol152010/No1Jan2010/Growing-Nurse-Leaders.aspx