Exploring Nursing Leadership in Practice

This Leadership Learning Experience (LLE) project will help you examine the roles of a nurse as detective, scientist, and manager of the healing environment in delivering safe and effective patient care. Nurses are increasingly called upon to assume dynamic leadership roles on interdisciplinary teams in the workplace. In the LLE, you will examine team dynamics in your practicum healthcare organization to learn about the function of the nurse as leader and change agent. You will observe nursing leadership-in-action during an interdisciplinary team meeting. This project will be included in your nursing portfolio.

1. Make an appointment to plan your project with your practicum clinical coach/ preceptor.,

a. Prepare for this meeting by:

i. reviewing previous course content on leadership and interdisciplinary practice

ii. identifying your practicum agency’s mission, vision, value statement, and strategic plan

iii. jotting down your thoughts about the nurse as leader in the interdisciplinary environment

b. Determine the topics and questions you would like to address during your meeting with a charge nurse or nurse manager.

2. Request a meeting with a charge nurse or nurse manager soon after your third shift. Be prepared and professional in this meeting and demonstrate organization of your thoughts for efficient use of your time together. You should at least ask the following questions:

a. What leadership roles do nurses play in this facility at the administrative, management, and patient care levels?

b. What regular interdisciplinary team meetings occur at these levels?

c. How is the nursing staff involved in these meetings?

d. What advice would you give me as a new nurse so I can accomplish my goal of observing the nursing leadership dynamics in the different types of teams?