XC4003 Assignment Leadership Strategies for Practice Change

Module 1 Leadership in Nursing

1. Based on the learning activities in Module 1, summarize your understanding of key leadership theories in nursing practice.

Formal theories guide effective nursing practice in a complex health care system and provide a framework for nursing leadership. Charalambous (2023) says transformational theory is one of the most influential theories in nursing. It emphasises the need to motivate and inspire employees in the realisation of organisational goals and career development. Transformational leaders under their leadership can help to create a positive culture in the workplace, promote innovation, and improve job satisfaction within the nursing profession, which is especially beneficial in rapidly changing healthcare environments. Another theory of leadership is transactional leadership. This type of leadership deals with structured tasks, rewards, and corrective action. Transactional leadership is important for managing daily operations and meeting organisational needs, giving healthcare teams stability and clear direction. Similarly, situational or adaptive leadership allows a leader to change his/her style to meet the needs of a team and the context of an organization. This is a key skill in nursing where situations can change quickly, and the capacities of staff vary as well. Other models, such as servant leadership and authentic leadership, also have a strong influence on nursing care. Servant leadership is based on taking care of others, staff and patients, and doing things ethically, working together and making decisions that support others (Charalambous, 2023). Authentic leadership promotes trust and openness in healthcare teams through self-awareness, transparency, and integrity. A nurse leader is able to apply these theories and concepts of leadership in the complex healthcare environment, foster extraprofessional working, evidence-based practice, and drive better patient outcomes. Choriambus noted that some of the techniques used by nurses to develop skills to sustain these challenging positions are competency frameworks and leadership development programs.

2. What leadership theory or concept do you most agree with and why? Theory and its relation to nursing practice

The theory of leadership that appeals to me the most is the theory of transformational leadership, as it is based on the inspirational and motivational aspect of the team members towards the achievement of the team and individual goals. Transformational leaders foster the staff’s professional development, innovation and critical thinking, and a positive and supportive work environment in the context of nursing practice (Jankelová and Joniakova, 2021). It is not just a question of management of tasks, but it is essential to build trust, to know your strengths, and empower nurses to act independently when it comes to improving patient care and health care outcomes. Transformational leadership is observed in nursing practice in leaders who provide mentorship opportunities, opportunities for evidence-based practice, and opportunities for staff to learn and grow (Jankelová and Joniakova, 2021). For instance, a nurse leader using this model could lead a staff team in implementing a new patient safety initiative by clearly communicating the vision; involving staff in the decisions; and giving them credit for their input. Transformational leadership also affects the quality of care generally by increasing patient satisfaction through involvement, teamwork, and responsibility, which help to improve the care quality of the team as well as the performance of the team. 

Module 2: Using Leadership Skills to Lead a Practice Change

1. Briefly summarise the practice problem and the plan of change you will be implementing. (2 paragraphs)

The issue with the practice is the increasing number of students at Falling Creek Middle School who are vaping. Vaping is a serious problem because it causes immediate and long-term health problems, including nicotine addiction, lung disease, and negative effects on the developing adolescent brain (Tao et al., 2024). In addition to health risks, vaping interferes with learning, resulting in poor academic performance and impacting the student’s overall well-being. Many students are misled and believe that vaping is not as harmful as smoking tobacco, and there is no preventive program in place in the schools; students are not able to make healthy and informed choices. There is a gap in the education and support of students at risk of starting or continuing to vape, due to the lack of systematic interventions. The change plan in connection with this is the implementation of a complete Vaping Prevention and Education Program for Vaping in the full school setting and at school, with the support of nurses, teachers, administrators, and parents. Parents and students will be included in classroom-based activities, parent/student workshops, counseling and peer support groups to increase awareness and behavior change (Pascall et al., 2021). The program is delivered over a semester, with clear timelines in its planning, education, family involvement, and follow-up. The participation of stakeholders, ongoing communication, and resource allocation are also part of the successful implementation. The intervention will focus on vaping behaviors and the health literacy of the students, including education, family participation, and ongoing support, to reduce vaping behaviors, increase health literacy, and make the school environment sustainable and health-promoting.

1. Based on the results of your leadership inventories, what are your top 3 leadership strengths?

My leadership inventories revealed that effective communication, transformational leadership, and adaptability are the three areas of my strongest leadership abilities. Communication skills were a big strength, and they demonstrated to me how to be effective at communicating, how to listen, and engage in meaningful discussion with the team members. The communication skill is very important in nursing practice because successful communication ensures patient safety, teamwork, and a positive nursing environment. Another strength that can be recognized is transformational leadership, a quality that allows inspiring and motivating others to achieve common goals (Jankelová & Joniaková, 2021). The style will enable me to support colleagues in their professional development, to be innovative, and to build a culture of trust and engagement. Lastly, flexibility is also a strength that enables me to shift my leadership style depending on shifting situations, team requirements, and company priorities. This is particularly true in the dynamic health care settings of nursing practice when the needs of the patient and nursing issues can be rapidly changing. These strengths together will enable me to become an effective leader, practice change, and promote quality patient care.

2. Based on the Myers-Briggs assessment, which personality type are you and how does it affect your leadership style?

According to Myers-Briggs, I have the personality type of ENFJ (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging). ENFJs are leaders who are keen on communication with everyone else, attuned to staff needs and feelings, and focused more on fostering a positive, cooperative environment (16 Personalities, n.d.). This personality type assists me in nursing practice with effective communication, establishing a trust relationship with other colleagues, and providing inspiration to team members to obtain shared goals. Being empathetic and intuitive will enable me to foresee issues, comprehend various views, and build good relationships in interprofessional teams. This kind of personality has a direct impact on my leadership style as it promotes a transformational kind, where inspiring and supporting others is the key to the realization of results. As an ENFJ leader, my primary concerns are being able to mentor staff, encourage professional growth and development, and create a positive and nurturing environment. I am also goal-oriented and organized, which will help me implement change in practice in an effective way and keep the players interested. Overall, the understanding of my personality type helps me utilize my communication, empathy, and motivating abilities to be an effective leader in any dynamic healthcare setting.

3. Of the leadership styles outlined in the Learning Activities in Module 1 and Module 2, which one is most in line with your strengths?

The leadership style that is most appropriate for my strengths is transformational leadership. This style is to inspire and motivate the members of the team to achieve individual and team goals, and this is my competency in communicating effectively with others. Transformational leaders foster a positive workplace atmosphere, encourage innovation, and offer training and development opportunities for team members (Jankelová & Joniakova, 2021). I am in a good position to inspire teammates and lead them towards a common goal; I can express myself effectively, be a good listener, and relate to people. Transformational leadership will help me create a culture of caring among staff that fosters a sense of belonging, engagement, and purpose. The other strength, which is my adaptability, complements this style as I can adapt the strategy according to the needs of the team, the priority of the patients, or the changes in the organization. By applying transformational leadership, I will be able to lead change in practice, promote collaborative teamwork across disciplines, improve patient care results, and create a culture of trust and professional development.

4. What leadership style appeals most to you and how will you use it to implement your change plan?

My personality lends itself best to the transformational style of leadership because it involves motivating, inspiring, and empowering others to join a team and achieve a common goal as well as grow and expand their knowledge and skills. The style given is in line with my strong communication skills, flexibility, and active involvement as a team player. The main goal of nursing practice is to create a positive and participative environment where the staff can participate and contribute, increase their morale, and consequently improve the quality of nursing care given to patients; the job of transformational leaders is to achieve this (Jankelová and Joniakova, 2021). This style resonates with me because it will allow me to connect with people on a personal and professional level, inspire innovation, and inspire teams to make a difference. A vaping prevention change plan would be implemented in Falling Creek Middle School using transformational leadership and include all stakeholders, including students, teachers, administrators, parents, and school nurses. Through effective communication of the significance of the program, creation of a common vision of the desire to adopt healthier behaviors, and constant support and encouragement, I can encourage students and staff to engage in prevention activities. I will also be able to influence the teachers and nurses to deliver educational content, tweak the approach based on feedback, keep the momentum going throughout the program, and mentor them to be effective transformational leaders. This style will not only result in the application of the change, but also in the acceptance and maintenance of the change as a culture of the school.

5. How will you apply your leadership skills and strengths when collaborating with various stakeholders?

These leadership skills and competencies will be utilized to effectively reach various stakeholders to help implement the vaping prevention program in Falling Creek Middle School, including communication, transformational leadership, and flexibility. The stakeholders include school nurses, teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community organizations, and are essential to the program and to its help and support. I will use effective and consistent communication to share the vision, goals, and evidence of the change as a collaborative tool. All stakeholders will be aware of their role in the program, and I will engage the stakeholders in meetings, workshops, newsletters, and interactive sessions. I will talk to teachers and school administrators directly to arrange logistics and classroom integration, and to parents directly to re-establish healthy behaviors at home. Interactive classroom activities and peer-support programs will be used to get the students involved. To ensure buy-in from the stakeholders, the program’s importance and value must be demonstrated through evidence-based information on the risk of vaping and the effectiveness of vaping prevention. I want to stress the importance of the role of each stakeholder in the health of the student and the safety of the school and community. By listening to what matters, enabling barriers to be overcome, and involving stakeholders in the decision-making process, I will establish a sense of ownership and collective responsibility and ensure the change is accepted and sustained in school.