NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 1

NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 1

Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4005 Nursing Leadership: Focusing on People, Processes, and Organizations

Prof. Name

Date

Collaboration and Leadership Reflection

Interdisciplinary Collaboration Experience

Transformational leadership plays a crucial role in fostering a collaborative healthcare environment. In my nursing practice, I participated in an interdisciplinary team focused on reducing medication errors and enhancing patient safety through structured communication among nurses, physicians, and pharmacists. One major challenge our team encountered was ensuring accurate medication reconciliation, which was hindered by inconsistent Electronic Health Record (EHR) documentation. To address this issue, our nursing team implemented team huddles at the start of each shift to discuss medication orders and ensure alignment among all professionals.

A shared documentation process was established to provide real-time updates in the EHR, promoting transparency and reducing errors. Open communication and mutual respect among team members fostered a sense of collaboration and shared responsibility. However, resistance to change was evident, particularly among staff accustomed to traditional workflows. Some nurses expressed frustration due to delays in updating medication orders. Implementing a structured change management approach with clearer role definitions and additional training on the new documentation process could have alleviated these challenges and enhanced collaboration.

Effective vs. Ineffective Leadership in Collaboration

Leadership plays a vital role in guiding interdisciplinary teams and influencing collaboration outcomes. In my experience, I observed two contrasting leadership styles: transformational and transactional. Transformational leadership encouraged open dialogue, innovation, and shared decision-making, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment (Mekonnen & Bayissa, 2023). Leaders using this approach motivated team members, promoted trust, and facilitated problem-solving through collective engagement. Conversely, transactional leadership, which prioritizes task completion, hierarchical control, and immediate issue resolution, was less effective in promoting interdisciplinary teamwork. This rigid approach often led to punitive measures rather than empowerment, resulting in resistance and disengagement from team members.

Transformational leadership proved more beneficial in ensuring sustained improvements, as it enhanced team engagement and adaptability. In contrast, the transactional approach contributed to frustration and limited collaboration due to its emphasis on maintaining strict structures. Encouraging transformational leadership in healthcare can lead to better teamwork, innovation, and improved patient outcomes.

Best-Practice Leadership and Collaboration Strategies

To strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, transformational leadership principles should be implemented through various strategies. One key approach is fostering a shared vision, where leaders clearly communicate organizational goals to enhance engagement among team members (Liu et al., 2022). Another important strategy is promoting continuous professional development, including mentorship programs and leadership training, which equip nurses with the skills needed to lead and collaborate effectively (Shen & Tucker, 2024).

In addition, structured communication tools such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) can enhance interdisciplinary coordination by standardizing communication and reducing errors. Regular interdisciplinary meetings and technology-driven collaboration, such as integrated EHR systems, facilitate real-time data sharing and alignment of care plans (Calduch et al., 2021). Developing these best practices will foster a more efficient and cooperative healthcare environment.

Table: Leadership Styles and Strategies in Healthcare Collaboration

Conclusion

Reflecting on my interdisciplinary collaboration experience has reinforced the importance of transformational leadership in healthcare. Effective leadership fosters teamwork, communication, and patient-centered care. By adopting transformational leadership strategies such as shared vision, mentorship, and structured communication, healthcare professionals can enhance collaboration and improve patient outcomes. As I continue to develop my leadership skills, I aim to promote interdisciplinary teamwork, advocate for team-based decision-making, and contribute to a more collaborative healthcare environment.

References

Calduch, E., Muscat, N., Krishnamurthy, R. S., & Ortiz, D. (2021). Technological progress in electronic health record system optimization: Systematic review of systematic literature reviews. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 152(1), 104507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104507

Liu, M., Zhang, P., Zhu, Y., & Li, Y. (2022). How and when does visionary leadership promote followers’ taking charge? The roles of inclusion of leader in self and future orientation. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 15(2), 1917–1929. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S366939

Mekonnen, M., & Bayissa, Z. (2023). The effect of transformational and transactional leadership styles on organizational readiness for change among health professionals. SAGE Open Nursing, 9(9). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10336755/

NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 1

Samardzic, M., Doekhie, K. D., & Wijngaarden, J. D. H. (2020). Interventions to improve team effectiveness within health care: A systematic review of the past decade. Human Resources for Health, 18(2), 1–42. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-019-0411-3

Shen, Q., & Tucker, S. (2024). Fostering leadership development and growth of nurse leaders: Experiences from Midwest Nursing Research Society Leadership Academy. Nursing Outlook, 72(6), 102293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102293