Having worked extensively in the healthcare system, most times under demanding conditions, I had to reinvent a way to fulfill my ambitions as well as achieve the goals that a nurse is expected to deliver. One of the major challenges in nursing today is the low staffing levels coupled with an increasing patient population with specific needs at a time when care models are insisting on patient-centered care (Pinkerton, 2004). The pressure on nursing leaders such as registered nurses and nurse managers has been massive and this has necessitated a need to leverage the skills, experience and knowledge of the RNs and NMs so that they can serve a much larger patient population (American Nurses Association, 2005). These conditions are just part of the aspects that endeared me to pursue the delivery of service in a delegating methodology. As a nurse leader utilizing the available resources to suit the patient population as well as focus on the financial limitations such as labor costs were much a driving force.
The delegating model of providing care has its basis on ensuring that the RN or nurse leader focuses on the aspects of care that require critical thinking and judgment while collaboration with the other nurses to develop care plans and ensure adherence to them depending on response (American Nurses Association, 2005). This is a step away from the traditional care models where the RN or the nurse leader was expected to perform the large load including the development of care plans and leaving the other nurses only to implement their decision. My take has been a more abstract approach where every aspect of the nursing process is a collaborate one, with team work a great ingredient while letting the nurses perform their roles independently without necessarily relying on the RN or the nurse leader. However, I always insisted on the need for consultations and team work to minimize the errors and misses or near misses that are apparent for all nurses.
Nurses in modern day care are expected to present as transformational leaders. This has been necessitated by the evolving healthcare systems as influenced by the changing demographics and the integration of technology in care. This then means that graduate level nurses, as they prepare to have their hand in practice, should possess several skills and attributes that would enable them cope competently with the demanding healthcare system (Huston, 2008).
Good communication skills: The nurse should be able to communicate effectively and portray optimal interpersonal skills so that they can communicate both in writing and orally to the patient and fellow workers (Huston, 2008). This aspect also incorporates the ability to listen and be empathetic which helps in religions any emerging conflicts between nurses and colleagues as well as between nurses and the patient. The nurse should also show a high level of connection with the spiritual aspect of human beings.
Accountability: The nurse should portray a high level of accountability, and this is measured by their ability to take responsibility for the actions and provide enough justification for these actions. On the other hand, the nurse should be able to identify their limitations so that they only take up those roles that they feel sufficient enough to perform. This is also measured against the nurse’s appreciation for continuous feedback with the nurse leaders and colleagues (Pinkerton, 2004).
Good management and organization skills: Nurses today are holistic in nature; they serve their roles, and beyond that, today nurses are required to take up administrative roles. Time management is a crucial skill especially with the limitations apparent in healthcare settings where major focus in on the patient as an individual. On the other hand, the need to show appropriate organizational skills that suit the demanding conditions of the healthcare settings is crucial. As they take up roles in administrative positions, it is important that graduate level nurses develop time management skills and organizational skills so that they can serve the role of mentoring other nurses well (Huston, 2008).
Teamwork: the need to work collaboratively especially where judgment, decision-making and critical thinking are required serves well for transformational nurses. Thus, the ability to work well with other members is a skill that graduate level nurses should seek to have.
At graduate level nursing I perceive teamwork, accountability and good communication and interpersonal skills as critical to helping me deliver my roles well. Upon these attributes, I think I can effectively manage to improve my delegating leadership skill in the future. It is upon effective communication with colleagues and an insistence on team work that the fellow nurses can deliver well in their delegated roles (Huston, 2008). Certainly, the attribute of time management and effective organizational skills are not to standards that may be regarded as optimal. However, I am seeking to develop these skills gradually through interaction and to share with colleagues on methods that can assist me become more time conscious and organized nurse.
References
American Nurses Association. (2005). Principles for Delegation. Washington, DC: American Nurses Publishing.
Huston, C. (2008). Preparing nurse leaders for 2020. Journal of Nursing Management, 16, 905-911. doi: 10.111/j.1365-2834.2008.00942.x
Pinkerton, S. (2004). AACN standards for establishing and sustaining healthy work environments. Nursing economic$, 23(3), 138-140.
