What the world of senior care needs right now is talented and committed nursing leaders who will tirelessly focus on quality of care while motivating and teaching their staff to be the best they can be. Former United States President John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other”. Nursing leadership requires the willingness to be a constant mentor and teach employees how to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently. It also involves the laser focus on keeping quality of care the most important goal within the care community.
What Does It Take to Be a Great Nurse Leader?
Great nurse leaders are characterized by certain qualities that not everyone has. One of the most fundamental talents of a great nurse leader is the ability to inspire employees to be their best, work together as a team, and continually enhance the quality of care. Great nurse leaders have integrity and are ethical. They can handle lots of stress and not show it. They have courage and know how to effectively communicate without demeaning or offending anyone.
They also possess initiative and don’t need to wait around and be told what to do. They think critically as well as clinically and make good decisions about work-related tasks and resident care. Great leaders in nursing are creative and can see a little into the future. They are not necessarily magical, but can apply common sense and practicality so that there aren’t many surprises around the corner.
(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Leadership in health care? Checkout my Leadership CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)
The Path to Greatness in Nursing Leadership
Every mile traveled always begins with one step forward. Enhancing leadership in nursing starts with strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to genuinely connect with other human beings. Knowing employees, their personalities and work styles and then adapting one’s leadership style to meet that employee where he or she is can strengthen nursing leadership and add to developing a strong and cohesive team.
Great leaders are not rigid but instead, are flexible and learn how to become fluid in their approach to different situations and employees. They adapt well to their surroundings. They are also good listeners and monitor for not only content from their team, but for the emotions behind words spoken. They ask for feedback and self-assess if they are doing things well. In this sense, they are increasingly self-aware.
The Ability to Connect
One of the greatest strengths of the nurse leader is that he or she can connect with their team in meaningful and genuine ways, leaving lasting impressions with employees. Great nurse leaders are empathetic and other-oriented, or in a sense, selfless. They don’t cut off their staff as they listen intently to the words and the message being transmitted to them. Great leaders understand the fine balance of power between themselves and their staff and do not use it inappropriately. They hear and support others. They are a model of the best that can be achieved and in doing so, their team wants to return the best to their leader.
Final Words on Nursing Leadership
Senior care needs great nurse leaders and it needs them right now. There are far too many issues that require attention in this industry, but staffing and quality are among the most important. And, who better to take on these challenges than a great nurse leader? Seniors deserve high quality care. Employees deserve a leader they can get behind and believe in. Calling all nurses. We need your leadership. Now.
(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Leadership in health care? Checkout my Leadership CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)