Page 81 - Essentials of Nursing Leadership and Management, 5th Edition

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68 unit 1 | Professional Considerations CikguOnline
You can probably think of more, but this list at least
Participate in interdisciplinary conferences gives you some ideas.You can also share the knowl-
Attend continuing education offerings edge and experience you have gained with other
people. This means not only using your knowledge
Attend professional organization meetings
to improve your own practice but also communi-
Read books and journals related to cating what you have learned to your colleagues in
your nursing practice nursing and in other health-care professions. It also
Problem-solve and brainstorm means letting your supervisors know that you have
with colleagues enhanced your professional competence. You can
Return to school to earn a higher degree share your knowledge with your patients, empow-
ering them as well. You may even reach the point at
which you have learned more about a particular
Figure 5.4 How to increase your expert power.
subject than most nurses have and want to write
about it for publication.

Conclusion
■ Read journals and books in your specialty area.
■ Participate in nursing research projects related to Although most nurses are employed by health-care
your clinical specialty area. organizations, too few nurses have taken the time
■ Discuss with colleagues in nursing and other dis- to analyze the operation of their employing health-
ciplines how to handle a difficult clinical situation. care organizations and the effect it has on their
■ Observe the practice of experienced nurses. practice. Understanding organizations and the
■ Return to school to earn a bachelor’s degree and power relationships within them will increase the
higher degrees in nursing. effectiveness of your leadership.

Study Questions

1. Describe the organizational characteristics of a facility in which you currently have a clinical
assignment. Include the following: the type of organization, the organizational culture, how the
organization is structured, and the formal and informal goals and processes of the organization.
2. Define power, and describe how power affects the relationships between people of different
disciplines (e.g., nursing, medicine, physical therapy, housekeeping, administration, finance, social
work) in a health-care organization.
3. Discuss ways in which nurses can become more empowered. How can you use your leadership
skills to do this?

Case Study to Promote Critical Reasoning

Tanya Washington will finish her associate’s degree nursing program in 6 weeks. Her preferred
clinical area is pediatric oncology, and she hopes to become a pediatric nurse practitioner one day.
Tanya has received two job offers, both from urban hospitals with large pediatric populations.
Because several of her friends are already employed by these facilities, she asked them for their
thoughts.
“Central Hospital is a good place to work,” said one friend. “It is a dynamic, growing institution,
always on the cutting edge of change. Any new idea that seems promising, Central is the first to try
it. It’s an exciting place to work.”
“City Hospital is also a good place to work,” said her other friend. “It is a strong, stable institution
where traditions are valued. Any new idea must be carefully evaluated before it is adapted. It’s been a
pleasure to work there.”