Personal and Professional Accountability
In this particular area, I portray high strength as evident by the high score that I attained with all subgroups having achieved an expert practice. When it comes to personal growth and development, I try as much as possible to not only advance in my education but also carry out career planning, action plans, and even annual self-assessments. I have always been driven by the notion that higher education enables one to offer appropriate and satisfactory services that are evidence-based particularly in the nursing profession. I also try to encourage my fellow nursing colleagues to embrace professional development through education advancement, that way they will be able to offer appropriate nursing care.
In a managerial capacity, it is mandatory for one to carry out his or her duties concerning ethical behavior and practice. I try as much as possible to observe all nursing standards and work within my scope of practice. I consider this as one of my strengths as much as I enjoy carrying out my nursing duties.
I still rank under expert practice when it comes to professional association involvement. Through this association. I draw my strength by interacting and networking with other nurses who are in the same position that am in as well as those that are higher than me. I have been able to get direction and guidance from such interaction about my personal and professional accountability. I always ensure that am up to speed with any activities or programs that are facilitated by the professional association body.
Career Planning
As a nurse manager, I also rank well when it comes to career planning. Before embarking on anything I first take it upon myself to fully understand my current job description. After which I determine whether it is at per with the current level of practice. Knowing my role has enabled me to contribute fully in developing others through constructive supervision. Still under career planning, I have been able to set plans for myself on where I would like to be in the nursing profession. I aspire to get a doctorate and lecturer in the University and other institutions of higher learning so that I may be able to pass down years of experience in management to the young nurses. Through this gesture, I would be able to contribute directly to the development of nursing as a profession. This will also place me in a more flexible position that allows for contribution in both the clinical area as well as in the classroom set up (Dik, Sargent, & Steger, 2008).
Personal Journey Disciplines
I have some weaknesses when it comes to personal journey disciplines. I particularly have a major weakness when it comes to shared leadership and action learning. As much as I value participatory leadership, I find it difficult to manage councils that advocate for shared leadership. There was this one time, where I embraced shared leadership, and I was not very pleased with the results since there was too much conflict which arose from the fact that there was no direction of command. Uncontrolled and unmonitored shared leadership breeds chaos particularly in a clinical setup. I have novice experience when it comes to action hence I rarely use such techniques when it comes to problem-solving or when I reflect on certain decisions. However, I rank well in reflective practice as I actively practice and reflect as one of my leadership behavior. This enables me to single out certain errors and improve on my leadership as a nurse manager.
Reflective Practice Reference Behaviors/Tenets
I also ranked very well in reflective practice reference behaviors, particularly when it comes to discovering other people’s potential in nursing practice as well as nurturing the emotional and intellectual self. By doing so, I have been able to nurture young nurses who with time have come to value and love nursing as well as increase their proficiency in the delivery of nursing care. I also value diversity as it acts as a vehicle for providing wholesome care to patients. By understanding the patients’ as well as the fellow nurses’ background, I have been able to offer comprehensive care and assistance respectively to both (Oelofsen, 2012).
Using Current Leadership Skill Set to Advocate for Change in Your Workplace
Advocacy involves addressing issues or problems which require solutions thus fostering positive change within the workplace. One of my leadership skill sets is effective communication. I will be able to bring groups and individuals together in a bid to foster the necessary change in the workplace. I will communicate in a concisely and clear manner as well as structure the message in a way that will fit the intended audience as well as the situation that requires change (Webb, 2011). I will take advantage of my fluency in the different forms of communication including verbal, electronic and written forms. I will try as much to communicate the data and facts associated with the problems as well as discuss the impact of the change will have on those involved. I will try making the situation compelling by using a “human face” on the issue at hand by incorporating “word pictures.” I will also make use of the ‘sixty-second speech’ which will allow me to introduce the situation as well as proposed solutions thus facilitating change through advocacy.
Personal Goal for Your Leadership Growth and the Implementation Plan to Achieve That Goal
For 2016, I would like to improve my interpersonal skills. I would like to be more approachable. I want those under me to feel comfortable and at ease to approach me whenever they are faced with problems so that I may be able to assist where possible. I would not like them to be intimidated or be afraid of my reaction. My implementation plan involves taking my time to gather opinions from my colleagues concerning issues involving delivery of nursing care as well as paying attention to their viewpoints (Smart, 2006). I am planning on showing respect to them as well as complimenting and appreciate them for a job well done. I will also try hard to remember the names of the colleagues that I have recently met.
References
Dik, B. J., Sargent, a. M., & Steger, M. F. (2008). Career Development Strivings: Assessing Goals and Motivation in Career Decision-Making and Planning. Journal of Career Development, 35, 23–41.
Oelofsen, N. (2012). Using reflective practice in frontline nursing. Nursing Times, 108(24), 22–4.
Smart, K. L. (2006). Developing Effective Interpersonal Communication and Discussion Skills. Business Communication Quarterly, 69(3), 276–283.
Webb, L. (2011). Nursing: Communication Skills in Practice. Nursing: Communication Skills in Practice.
