The development of different connections and relationships between leaders and staff in the nursing practice can be achieved through transformational leadership. Aside from this, transformational leadership has also been proven to help in the clinical expertise of the health care sector. Nurses who possess transformational leadership have an advantage especially when dealing with followers and achieving greater goals. Some of the benefits of possessing transformational leadership skills include improved outcomes and satisfaction of patients (Denker, 2014).
According to Smith (2015), some of the attributes of transformational leadership include improving the attentiveness and awareness of the staff and other subordinates using verbal instructions and role modeling. Transformational leaders are responsible for the transformation of the organization. The known benefits of being able to possess transformational leadership includes higher satisfaction and motivation among employees and subordinates, improved performances of health care staff, and increased accomplishments of these personnel which can help improve the delivery of health care services to the patients. Improved delivery of health care services will lead to increased patient satisfaction and improved patient outcomes which can therefore help in the improvement of the diseases and sickness experienced by the patients. However, some of the barriers that can affect the benefits of possessing and applying transformational leadership include resistance of some employees and staff because of being uncomfortable with the absence of direct supervision by these transformational leaders. Absence of direct supervision may arise as a result of autonomy and feedback.
Another advantage of applying transformational leadership in the nursing practice is the ability of leaders to influence their employees to be directly involved in the accomplishment pf the mission of the institution and utilize effort to be able to accomplish the goals set by the leaders. Another factor that can influence job performance is the strong identity and relationship of the employees. Increased job performance and improved patient outcomes greatly help in the improvement of efficacy and survivability of the institution (Smith, 2015).
The ability of an institution or organization to adapt to the changes and dynamics of the health care system can be greatly influence by transformational leadership. This is due to the fact that transformational leadership encourages change in focus. Transformational leadership does not only aim to improve patient satisfaction and client outcomes but also helps in the establishment of a solid and responsible form of leadership within the institution (Soobryan, n.d.).
In the nursing practice, the attributes of transformational leadership along with its benefits can greatly contribute to the improvement of the satisfaction and outcomes of the elderly patients that I have been handling. Since I work at the different patient homes and I am dealing with elderly patients, it is significant for me to consider close relationship with other employees in different health care institutions because they can greatly help if ever assistance is needed while I am dealing with my patients. Also, the current changes in the health care system such as giving health care services closer to elderly patients by allowing nurses to visit patient homes. As stated earlier, transformational leadership help in the ability of an institution to adapt to the continuous change in the health care system. Additionally, the sustainability and efficacy of health care institutions have also increased due to increased reach of the nurses especially when dealing with elderly patients who are no longer able to visit hospitals and clinics.
References
Denker, A. G. (2014). Transformational Leadership in Nursing: A Pilot Nurse Leader Development Program. Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones. Paper 6.
Soobryan, B. (n.d.). Journal of Nursing: DNP and the Transformational Leaders. RN Journal. Retrieved from http://rnjournal.com/journal-of-nursing/dnp-doctor-of-nursing-practice-transformational-leaders [Accessed on 19 Jan 2016].
Smith, R. (2015). Advantages and Barriers to Transformational Leadership Implementation in a Scientific Laboratory. Walden University Dissertations and Doctoral Studies.
