Question

Conduct an interview with a Nursing leader which includes but is not limited to VP of Patient Care Services, Director of Nursing, Nurse Manager, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Practitioner, Charge Nurse, Team Leader or someone in another type of designated leadership position. Obtain the following information during your interview.

 General Background information:

GenderEducational PreparationWork HistoryMemberships in Professional OrganizationsNetworking strategiesWhat characteristics should a leader possess?

Do you feel as though you possess these characteristics?

Are there any aspects of leadership that you feel you lack or could improve on existing qualities? How has your outlook and/or behaviors changed over the years?

How do you deal with change?

What do you think will be the greatest challenge for professional nurses in the next five years?

How do you support or advocate new ideas?

What role do you play in performance improvement initiatives?

What is your role as a preceptor or mentor?

Who are you students or “mentees”?

Does anything motivate you to continue to precept or mentor, if so, what?

Do you have a choice in being a mentor or is it expected as part of your employment?

Answer 1

A leader should have supervision ability,updated knowledgeand skill, friendly as well as ability to control others, good decision making, problem solving ability,teaching ability, good patient care in all aspects.

yes, possess these characteristics.

Always try to develop existing qualities.According to the situation if any other skills are needed have to possess.

Outlook and behaviour became professional and confidence.

Accepting the change, eventhough faced many struggles with the hope of all are going very well.

Greatest challenge for professional nurses can be increased workload because of poor staffing which may leads to poor communication between nurse and patients.

welcome new ideas if it is good for patients, their family members as well as nurses.

conducting continuing nursing education and inservice education, new skills demo in clinical setup,supervision of staff nurses and giving positive reinforcements for their very good performances, correcting wrong doing.

For nurses -as a preceptor, teaching and demonstrating new skills and knowledge ; as a mentor help to adopt with working environment and solve problems. For patients and family members - as a preceptor - giving education regarding diet, activity and followup ; as a mentor help in selecting treatment choice ( Nurse not to select decision).

Patients, family members, subordinates are mentees.

A good preceptor or mentor performance is an essential for smooth working and good patient outcome.

Mentor should be one of role of a good leader among other essential roles.