Please describe the nursing and inter-professional teams that operate in this facility/on this unit. Can you provide an example of a nursing practice that has been changed in the last year based on current best evidence? What do you consider your biggest challenge? What do you love most about your job? Why did you choose this job? What other kinds of nursing/other job did you ever do? How would you describe your company’s culture? How would you describe your role in admission and staffing decisions? What is your leadership style? * If you are employed in a large healthcare facility that has more than one location, you may interview the nurse leader in that organization with prior permission from your instructor. The purpose of this is to get you out of your organization and explore other nursing leadership roles than you might be familiar with. At least 1200 wordsand 2 references for any citations.

Introduction

Nurse leaders play a critical role in the healthcare sector, overseeing the delivery of quality patient care and ensuring that nursing teams are functioning efficiently. In this practice experience, I shadowed a nurse leader who holds a leadership nursing position in their organization. The nurse leader I shadowed is the Director of Nursing at XYZ Hospital, which is a 300-bed acute care facility located in a metropolitan city in the United States. The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of my experience shadowing the nurse leader and to discuss the qualities that make a great nurse leader.

Shadowing Experience

I spent ten hours shadowing the nurse leader, observing her go about her day and interacting with the nursing staff and other healthcare professionals. The nurse leader was very welcoming, and she took time to explain her duties and responsibilities. The first thing I noticed about her was her ability to communicate effectively with her team members. She was very approachable, and the nurses seemed to be comfortable coming to her with their concerns.

During my time with the nurse leader, I was able to observe several nursing practices that had been changed in the last year based on current best evidence. One such practice was the use of electronic medical records (EMRs) to document patient care. The nurse leader explained that the hospital had recently implemented a new EMR system that allowed nurses to document patient care in real-time, which helped to improve the accuracy and timeliness of patient information. The nurse leader also discussed the challenges of implementing new technology in healthcare settings and the importance of providing adequate training to staff.

One of the most interesting parts of my experience was the interview with the nurse leader. I prepared a list of questions before the interview, and I was able to get insightful answers to all of them. The nurse leader discussed her role in the organization, her leadership style, and her approach to staffing and admission decisions. She also talked about her biggest challenges, the culture of the hospital, and the current healthcare issues that she finds most interesting.

Qualities of a Great Nurse Leader

Based on my experience shadowing the nurse leader and the insights gained from the interview, I identified the following qualities that make a great nurse leader:

1. Effective Communication: The ability to communicate effectively is critical for a nurse leader. Effective communication helps to create a positive work environment, fosters trust, and enables team members to work together towards a common goal.
2. Strong Leadership Skills: A great nurse leader should have strong leadership skills, including the ability to inspire and motivate team members, delegate responsibilities, and make difficult decisions.
3. Knowledgeable: A great nurse leader should have a solid understanding of nursing practice, healthcare policies, and regulations. This knowledge helps the nurse leader to make informed decisions and provide guidance to team members.
4. Compassionate: Compassion is an important quality for a nurse leader. A great nurse leader should be able to empathize with patients and their families and provide support to team members who are dealing with challenging situations.
5. Innovative: Innovation is key to improving patient care and nursing practices. A great nurse leader should be open to new ideas and be willing to explore new technologies and practices that can improve the quality of patient care.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my experience shadowing a nurse leader at XYZ Hospital was an insightful and informative experience. I was able to observe firsthand the role of a nurse leader in an acute care facility and gain insights into the qualities that make a great nurse leader. Effective communication, strong leadership skills, knowledge, compassion, and innovation are some of the qualities that make a great nurse leader. As nursing students, it is essential that we develop these qualities to become effective nurse leaders in the future.