Nurses are gradually adopting leadership positions and have ceased being merely doctor’s assistants. Over the past several decades, nurses have emerged as integral members of our healthcare system. They assumed the responsibility to ensure effective and immediate care delivery to their patients. Thus, nurse leaders in the 21st century are expected to supervise subordinates through their intimate familiarity with healthcare protocols. During the coronavirus pandemic, the nation realized the need to produce more leaders within the medical community. It has created more opportunities for medical students.
The pathway to undertake leadership positions in the nursing department seems challenging initially but handsomely rewards students reaching the finish line. It’s a leader’s responsibility to advocate for a patient’s rights and educate other nurses to enhance their efficiency. Furthermore, studies published in 2018 estimated that there would be a shortage of over half a million nurses by 2030! But this expected deficiency has revealed several opportunities for RNs planning to pursue leadership positions in healthcare. But how can you pursue a career as a nurse leader?
Continued education seems to assist you in reaching your objective. Many universities offer online courses for students looking to improve their academic expertise. These online courses allow you to continue your current job with your studies. You can opt for online MSN to DNP programs that enable you to seek leadership opportunities. You’ll receive study material digitally to pursue advanced medical education in the comfort of your home. After finishing your degree, you may apply for high-paying employment options where you can help improve quality care in the following ways:
1.Upholding Evidence-Based Practice
Technology has enabled healthcare professionals to use real-time data for making medical decisions. This practice improves patient outcomes, increases transparency, and ensures patient safety. Nurse leaders are responsible for maintaining evidence-based practices within their teams. They ascertain that RNs are up-to-date about standardized nursing protocols. So, leaders often subscribe to many medical journals and nursing magazines for providing high-quality care delivery to their patients.
2.Increasing Collaboration
Nurse leaders have undertaken to enhance effective communication with their colleagues while improving collaboration with patients. Their responsibilities involve listening to everyone’s concerns to identify the best action plan for nurses and patients. This collaboration leads to the elimination of lapses in patient safety. Moreover, nurse leaders motivate RNs to make them more productive. They respond to junior nurses with suggestions about improving patient care.
3.Embracing the Technology
Electronic health records (EHRs) have prevailed in the American healthcare industry. In 2016, it was revealed that around 96% of hospitals in the United States used EHRs. This facility makes a patient’s medical history universally accessible and eliminates the need to redo a test. Nurse leaders have promoted further adoption of these digital records and discussed patients’ medical issues with them. This practice will enable them to employ bedside verification for ensuring quick care delivery.
4 Advocating for Patients
An effective nurse leader focuses on advocating for a patient’s rights, including access to quality care delivery in hospital settings. They speak up on behalf of patients. So, families may contact them to help with delays in test results, emotional support, or acquiring copies of their medical records. Most importantly, nurse leaders ensure that a patient remains independent to make decisions regarding his/her treatment. So, nurses also provide the essential information for boosting a patient’s informed decision-making ability. A nurse’s code of ethics dictates that she/he must promote and protects a patient’s rights, safety, and health.
5.Leading by Example
A leader’s job doesn’t include merely ordering people around. Instead, she/he sets an example for others to follow and motivates subordinates to be productive. In Florence Nightingale’s evergreen words, your feelings must “be distilled into actions” to bring effective outcomes. This pandemic has demanded nurses to develop leadership capabilities to popularize healthier protocols and normalize evidence-based practices within nursing. As a leader, you’re responsible for motivating or discourage your staff. So, you must be optimistic, respectful, and obedient to the guidelines you’ve set since it will harm nurses’ morale if leaders begin to show frustration during the coronavirus pandemic.
6.Asking for Feedback
Effective leadership requires managers to ask everyone their opinion and always be responsive to any meaningful suggestion. This practice will improve the cooperation of your nursing staff, thereby contributing to improved patient outcomes. A nurse leader should appreciate the endeavors of RNs while keeping herself available to listen to their complaints. In 2020, nurses fought COVID-19 as our nation’s frontline soldiers. They feel more valued and productive when they find their leaders accessible for feedback. So, always welcome an open dialogue for listening to your team’s concerns. And nurse leaders have – indeed – provided a platform for RNs to speak up about their opinions.
7.Educating the Patient
Lastly, nurse leaders can empower patients by educating them and influencing every decision regarding their health. Education boosts a patient’s engagement in healthcare issues that leads to better medical outcomes. Several studies show that educating patients contributes to patient-centered care and motivates patients to adhere to treatment procedures. Similarly, nurse leaders promote educating a patient’s relatives as it makes them better understand the problem of their loved one. In short, educating your patient improves his/her health status. That’s why nurse leaders in 2021 concentrate on keeping their patients well-informed in medicine.
Conclusion
As the pandemic worsens, the country continues facing an accelerated shortage of nurses that will become intense in the future. Leadership qualities lead to nurses feeling satisfied with their careers and focusing more on patient care. These qualities also reduce problems in the staff while improving communication among RNs. With continued education, more nurses can join the management department to contribute to the advancement of healthcare facilities.