NR 504 Week 3 Reflective Essay

NR 504 Week 3 Reflective Essay

Name

Chamberlain University

NR 504 Leadership and Nursing Practice: Role Development

Prof. Name

Date

Reflective Essay on Leadership Competencies

Introduction

Leadership competencies refer to the capabilities, knowledge, philosophy, and skills that enable an individual to effectively manage themselves, peers, and the organization to achieve both organizational and personal goals (Alexander & Lopez, 2018). Beyond these technical aspects, leadership also includes moral values and behaviors that shape a leader into someone who is compassionate, approachable, and authentic. From my experience, leadership development through self-assessment, using models like the SHRM Competency Model and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), shapes individual traits into leadership qualities (Perlman et al., 2019). In this reflective essay, I aim to explore the significance of leadership competencies, assess my current competencies, identify opportunities for growth, and discuss how these competencies will impact my future role as a Nurse Practitioner in an MSN program.

Leadership Competencies

Knowledge Competencies

My personal leadership philosophy is grounded in democratic and inclusive behaviors, emphasizing the importance of valuing others’ opinions, roles, and knowledge. Initially, I believed leadership required an autocratic style, but as I matured, I realized that my competencies align more with those of a democratic leader (Aria, Jafari, & Behifar, 2019). Knowledge competencies involve acquiring facts, translating them into action, understanding diverse viewpoints, maintaining self-awareness, and applying learned information according to current situations, trends, and concepts (Carter, 2018). I believe that my cognitive abilities in understanding and applying new knowledge, particularly through ongoing learning and research, reflect a strong foundation in leadership.

Skills Competencies

Skills can be categorized into cognitive and physical abilities. Cognitive skills focus on knowledge-based tasks such as decision-making, applying knowledge, and monitoring processes (Below, 2018; Matarese et al., 2018). I have developed decision-making abilities through research projects and practice in healthcare settings. Participating in critical discussions, such as those during the COVID-19 crisis, allowed me to refine skills such as active listening, problem identification, risk assessment, and effective communication. Additionally, my physical competencies, such as precision, speed, and coordination, play a vital role in my leadership effectiveness (Carter, 2018).

Attitude Competencies

Attitude competencies are integral to leadership, as they reflect one’s ability to engage with others based on empathy, motivation, and appreciation (Carter, 2018). My leadership philosophy emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and understanding, which influences my approach to leadership in nursing. I recognize that maintaining a dynamic and professional attitude is crucial in healthcare, as one’s attitude significantly affects communication and relationship-building (Below, 2018). In my practice, I strive to remain adaptable, as this enables me to manage varying situations and people effectively.

Key Leadership Competencies and Growth Opportunities

Two of my primary leadership competencies are effective time and workload management, as well as maintaining professional communication. These competencies are vital to my leadership practice and have allowed me to successfully manage tasks and lead teams. However, I believe that there is room for improvement in my administrative and supervisory competencies. These areas present growth opportunities, as administrative skills are necessary for managing peers, while supervisory competencies are essential for evaluating peer performance (Carter, 2018). Developing these competencies further will enhance my ability to lead and support my team effectively.

MSN Track and Leadership Competencies Impact

As an MSN nurse practitioner, I aim to integrate my knowledge, skills, and leadership competencies to provide high-quality, patient-centered, evidence-based care. Leadership competencies will play a significant role in addressing the complexities of healthcare. For example, leadership competencies were crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, where leaders were required to motivate peers, manage resources, and coordinate responses to crises. Similarly, addressing healthcare challenges such as infection prevention demands interprofessional collaboration and the development of evidence-based interventions (Loveday, 2019). These examples underscore the critical role that leadership competencies will play in my future role as an MSN nurse practitioner.

Conclusion

Leadership competencies are essential for healthcare professionals, particularly in nursing, as they allow individuals to manage themselves, peers, and organizations effectively. Through the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes, healthcare leaders can navigate complex situations and ensure the delivery of high-quality care. These competencies will be pivotal in shaping my future MSN role, helping me to address healthcare challenges, foster collaboration, and lead with confidence and compassion.

References

Alexander, C., & Lopez, R. (2018). A thematic analysis of self-described authentic leadership behaviors among experienced nurse executives. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 48(1), 38-43. https://doi.org/10.1097/nna.0000000000000568

Aria, A., Jafari, P., & Behifar, M. (2019). Authentic leadership and teachers’ intention to stay: The mediating role of perceived organizational support and psychological capital. World Journal of Education, 9(3), 67. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v9n3p67

Below, M. (2018). The influence of nursing leadership roles on self-care. ProQuest.

Carter, K. (2018). Promoting self-concept and leadership competencies among frontline nursing staff. Nursing Management (Springhouse), 49(9), 7. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.numa.0000538922.91277.c8

NR 504 Week 3 Reflective Essay

Loveday, H. (2019). Future nurse: Pre-registration nurse education – Are you involved? Journal of Infection Prevention, 20(4), 160-161. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757177419863468

Matarese, M., Lommi, M., De Marinis, M., & Riegel, B. (2018). A systematic review and integration of concept analyses of self-care and related concepts. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 50(3), 296-305. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12385

McCay, R., Lyles, A., & Larkey, L. (2018). Nurse leadership style, nurse satisfaction, and patient satisfaction. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 33(4), 361-367. https://doi.org/10.1097/ncq.0000000000000317

Perlman, D., Moxham, L., Patterson, C., Cregan, A., Alford, S., & Tapsell, A. (2019). Mental health stigma and undergraduate nursing students: A self-determination theory perspective. Collegian. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colegn.2019.08.001