Combining Nurse Leader With Advocacy
Rate yourself using the results from the “Nurse Manager Skills Inventory”:
http://www.aone.org/resources/nurse-manager-skills-inventory.pdf
Write a reflection of 750-1,000 words in which you identify your strengths and weaknesses related to the four content areas below:
Personal and professional accountability
Career planning
Personal journey disciplines
Reflective practice reference behaviors/tenets
Discuss how you will use your current leadership skill set to advocate for change in your workplace.
Identify one personal goal for your leadership growth and discuss your implementation plan to achieve that goal.
While APA format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
30.0 % Identification of strengths and weaknesses related to the four content areas listed.
Provides strengths and/or weaknesses based on some of the listed content areas.
Lists strengths and weaknesses based on each of the listed content areas, but does not draw on evidence from the given Web site.
Lists strengths and weaknesses based on each of the listed content areas, and draws on evidence from the given Web site for some of the content areas.
Lists strengths and weaknesses based on each of the listed content areas, and draws on evidence from the given Web site.
Lists and analyzes strengths and weaknesses based on each of the listed content areas, and draws on evidence from the given Web site.
25.0 % Discussion of use of current leadership skills to advocate change in the workplace.
Fails to mention either change in the workplace and/or personal skill set.
Discusses one change that can be made in the workplace, without providing examples or evidence. Makes brief mention of personal skill set, but does not effectively demonstrate how it can be used to effect change.
Discusses one change that can be made in the workplace, without providing examples or evidence. Evaluates how personal skill set can be used to effect change in workplace.
Discusses one change that can be made in the workplace, while giving a clear and relevant example for why the change is necessary. Evaluates how personal skill set can be used to effect change in workplace.
Discusses specific changes that can be made in the workplace are discussed, while giving clear and relevant examples for why changes are necessary. Evaluates how personal skill set can be used to effect change in workplace.
25.0 % Reflection on personal goal for leadership growth and development of implementation plan to reach goal.
Pinpoints a goal for leadership growth, but does not provide a plan for attaining the goal.
Pinpoints a goal for leadership growth, but the plan for attaining goal is not aligned to the final outcome.
Provides a surface-level reflection on areas of growth. Pinpoints at least one specific goal for leadership growth, but provides an oversimplified plan for attaining goal.
Reflects on areas for growth. Pinpoints at least one specific goal for leadership growth, and outlines a clear implementation plan to meet the goal.
Provides a thoughtful reflection on areas for growth. Pinpoints at least one specific goal for leadership growth, and outlines a well-organized and realistic implementation plan to meet the goal.
15.0 %Organization and Effectiveness
5.0 % Thesis Development and Purpose
Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.
Thesis and/or main claim are insufficiently developed and/or vague; purpose is not clear.
Thesis and/or main claim are apparent and appropriate to purpose.
Thesis and/or main claim are clear and forecast the development of the paper. It is descriptive and reflective of the arguments and appropriate to the purpose.
Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive; contained within the thesis is the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.
15.0 %Organization and Effectiveness
5.0 % Paragraph Development and Transitions
Paragraphs and transitions consistently lack unity and coherence. No apparent connections between paragraphs are established. Transitions are inappropriate to purpose and scope. Organization is disjointed.
Some paragraphs and transitions may lack logical progression of ideas, unity, coherence, and/or cohesiveness. Some degree of organization is evident.
Paragraphs are generally competent, but ideas may show some inconsistency in organization and/or in their relationships to each other.
A logical progression of ideas between paragraphs is apparent. Paragraphs exhibit a unity, coherence, and cohesiveness. Topic sentences and concluding remarks are appropriate to purpose.
There is a sophisticated construction of paragraphs and transitions. Ideas progress and relate to each other. Paragraph and transition construction guide the reader. Paragraph structure is seamless.
15.0 %Organization and Effectiveness
5.0 % Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation, grammar, language use)
Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice and/or sentence construction are used.
Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader. Inconsistencies in language choice (register), sentence structure, and/or word choice are present.
Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but are not overly distracting to the reader. Correct sentence structure and audience-appropriate language are used.
Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may be present. A variety of sentence structures and effective figures of speech are used.
Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.
5.0 %Format
2.0 % Paper Format (1- inch margins; 12-point-font; double-spaced; Times New Roman, Arial, or Courier)
Template is not used appropriately or documentation format is rarely followed correctly.
Template is used, but some elements are missing or mistaken; lack of control with formatting is apparent.
Template is used, and formatting is correct, although some minor errors may be present.
Template is fully used; There are virtually no errors in formatting style.
All format elements are correct.
5.0 %Format
3.0 % Research Citations (In-text citations for paraphrasing and direct quotes, and reference page listing and formatting, as appropriate to assignment)
No reference page is included. No citations are used.
Reference page is present. Citations are inconsistently used.
Reference page is included and lists sources used in the paper. Sources are appropriately documented, although some errors may be present.
Reference page is present and fully inclusive of all cited sources. Documentation is appropriate and GCU style is usually correct.
In-text citations and a reference page are complete. The documentation of cited sources is free of error.
100 % Total Weightage
Running Head: COMBINING NURSING LEADERSHIP WITH ADVOCACY 1
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COMBINING NURSING LEADERSHIP WITH ADVOCACY
Combining Nursing Leadership with Advocacy
Crystal M. Fore
Grand Canyon University: 440v – NRS
January 18, 2015
Combining Nursing Leadership with Advocacy
Within every nurse is the potential for a leader, but not every nurse may recognize this within themselves. Each individual carries a set of weakness, areas in which the individual may perceive or actually have a lack of knowledge, quality, or strength. Just as well, every individual carries a set of strengths, areas in which the individual may have strong skills or knowledge sets. Although personally having been a nurse for only a few years, I can see some leadership qualities in my own character. This has become more apparent after taking the American Association of Critical-Care Nurse Manager Skills Inventory. While this being stated, there is much more I can do to become an even greater asset to my nursing profession. In this essay, there are four areas in which I will discuss about the results from the inventory skills assessment: First, my personal and professional accountability as a nurses, second, career planning, third, my own personal journey disciplines, and finally my reflective practice reference behaviors and tenants.
Personal and Professional Accountability
When evaluating myself in the personal growth and development area, which include educational advancement, continuing education, career planning, and certifications, I would rate myself overall in the middle. Although I am not sure where my future will lead to, I have continued on in my education to gain a Bachelor’s in my field. There is so much further, but I am hoping to complete a Doctorate in Nursing as a nurse practitioner. Although I am not currently certified in a specialty, I have been working towards stroke certification along with studying for certification towards emergency medicine. Another area in which I could improve on is my association status, as I am a member of the Washington State Nurses association, but am not active in legislative processes or in bargaining procedures advocating for fellow nurses and patients. I do however, rate myself high when it comes to ethical behavior and practices as I feel evidenced based practice is prudent in providing safe, competent care to patients. It is also important that I show this dedication to others in my field because it is the best outcome for patients to receive current practices to decrease risk while maintaining safe practices.
Career Planning
“Nurses’ roles, responsibilities, and education should change significantly to meet the increased demand for care that will be created by health care reform and to advance improvements in America’s increasingly complex health system” (Institute of Medicine, 2010) The field of nursing continues to advance, which is what is desperately needed for the future. As we move forward in health care, according to the Institute of Medicine, sicker patients will stay home while the acute care setting will admit the sickest of the sick. As a nurse, I feel strongly that I know what my job description and requirements are. As I continue my education, this will change slightly in accordance with my level of education. As a nurse in Washington State, it would be a great asset to continue to pursue my education to the doctorate level, especially since this state is one of a handful of states that allows nurses at the doctorate level to practice to full extent of training and education. I do foresee a period in the future of increased turnover due to the current aging population in the nursing field. Until this time, with my education, I have an opportunity to assist new nurses through preceptor ships and mentoring with providing teaching using evidenced based practices to continue on the goal of providing safe competent care while also being cost effective.
Personal Journey Disciplines
Overall in this section, I felt there is great opportunity to really grow. Action learning and reflective practice I may participate in, but am not actually comfortable in these fields. While the comfort level is not there, I need to increase my participation as both the learner and later as the instructor as both are important in patient care and learning. I found that most of my education during the ADN program was based on lectures with memorization a necessity, but in reality, this is not an accurate portrayal of real life situations. By participating in both active learning and reflective practice, we all can not only learn proper techniques but using these will increase critical thinking skills which are essential. I have no experience in shared leadership and council management and rate myself a novice. Building on all three of these areas will increase my ability to perform better as a nurse and as a leader in my field. One article stated “Whether operating at the micro or macro level, empowered nurses can improve the environment and enhance delivery of quality health care” (Green & Jordan, 2004). I have a voice and this would be a great opportunity to use to improve the quality of the field of nurses. The greater number of voices, the greater the impact we all can have on the future of the nursing profession.
Reflective Practice Reference Behaviors/Tenants
In this area, I have rated myself overall as competent or just over competent. Personally, I feel I am tolerant and accepting of different beliefs and practices. When appropriate, I try to incorporate these beliefs into care. If for some reason, the practice or belief is unsafe, I try to be sensitive to their feelings while educating on safe practices. This can be difficult in this region due to the lack of different cultural groups, but with practicing using active and reflective techniques could further enhance these techniques personally, but with all those in the profession. I also find it important to keep my commitments and seeking knowledge. As being a single parent who worked full time while attending the nursing program I feel shows commitment to this. Additionally, if I do not know the answer to a situation, I will research it until I know the answer. I find that this is essential in being a nurse and a lifelong learner.
Conclusion
One article describes advocacy as “the process of building support for an issue or cause and influencing others to take action” (Family Care International, 2008). As a nurse, it is important for all of us to not only advocate for our patients, families, and communities, but we must also advocate for ourselves. ” It is important that all nurses engage in, and become involved in developing processes in their respective work settings to advocate for realistic changes that meet the needs of both patients and staff” (Tomajan, 2012) To advocate means to identify issues and work towards solutions and improvements. This will become even more important as we continue down the current direction of health care. Nurses make up the largest work force sector of health care, and the current workforce is aging. With a large influx expected of nurses, it will by my job to continue to develop my skills and passing those skills on to others both experienced and inexperienced. My current position as a relief charge nurse on a busy telemetry unit is a start. There is a lot more that I can do. Some of my goals include becoming more of an active educator for staff for current practices and for the changes that are coming. I also plan to advocate for more of a team atmosphere between all members of the care team. Often I hear that nurses fell underappreciated. Furthermore, many of my colleagues, my self-included, feel as if information provided is not appreciated. We have valuable information and play an even more valuable part of the care team. To advocate for this, continuing my own education and growing in all areas of healthcare would help significantly. Increasing knowledge and competency needs to be support by providers, employers, and ourselves for this to change. There will be a full time charge nurse position on which I will apply. It will also be important that I participate in our research studies to identify ways to improve our practice while relieving some of our stress in our current workflow.
My biggest goal personally is to be a participant in legislature. Recently I received an email from the American Nurses Association that the House of Representatives has passed the “Save American Workers Act of 2015” that would change the definition of a full time employee. Currently, a full time employee is anyone who works thirty hours or more a week, but with this act, the full time employee would be required to work a forty hour work week. According to the American Nurses Association, 1.69 million nurses and nurse practitioners work in a hospital setting, many of these employees, myself included, work a 36 hour work week. This would not only significantly affect our work schedules in trying to make up for a four hour period, but more importantly it would affect the benefits that many of us are enrolled in. As it is, health insurance is expensive for the full time employee, this change would almost certainly double my benefits if employers followed the current settings of allowing I found this disturbing for all of us in the nursing field as many of us are working a 36 hour week. If this is passed, I will help support the cause to at least guarantee nurses continued benefits without changes while allowing nurses to continue practice at the 36 hour work week.
References
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. (2006). Nurse Manager Skills Inventory. Retrieved from American Association of Critical-Care Nurses; The American Organization of Nurse Executives: www.aacn.org/wd/practice/docs/nurse-manager-inventory-tool.pdf
Family Care Institute. (2008). An advocacy toolkit for programme managers. Retrieved from Family Care Institute: www.familycareintl.org/en/resources/publications/66
Green, A., & Jordan, C. (2004). Common denominators: shared governance and work place advocacy-strategies for nurses to gain control over their practice. Online Journal of Issues of Nursing, 9(1). Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/490770 4
Institute of Medicine. (2010). The Future of Nursing Focus on Education. Retrieved from http://thefutureofnursing.org/sites/default/files/FutureofNursing2010ReportBrief.pdf
Tomajan, K. (2012, January 31). Advocating for Nurses and Nursing. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 17(1). doi:10.3912/OJIN.Vol17No01Man04
