Topic 2 DQ 1 Differentiate between “leading” and “managing.” Based on your experience in the health care industry, explain how an advanced registered nurse can lead well and provide management. Share at least one strategy you have used to effectively lead and manage staff within health care organizations Consider interactions with patients, team members, daily tasks, and responsibilities as you formulate your response.

Topic 2 DQ 1 Differentiate between “leading” and “managing.” Based on your experience in the health care industry, explain how an advanced registered nurse can lead well and provide management. Share at least one strategy you have used to effectively lead and manage staff within health care organizations Consider interactions with patients, team members, daily tasks, and responsibilities as you formulate your response.

To me a leader stands beside their team, and they work towards a common goal. The word “managing” can have a negative connotation. I can manage a budget, the schedule and other non-human based activities at work. But I cannot “manage” a person’s behavior or thoughts. I can guide and lead them either to the common goal in our organization or on to other professional opportunities elsewhere. I absolutely loved the article LEADING VS. MANAGING: A Tale of Two Organizational Processes. (2022) It brilliantly explained how managing is focused on results and typically runs in a top to bottom style with most information flowing down. When they changed to leadership philosophy in the company, the employees felt valued and understood that their safety and well-being was why they had processes in place. This increased productivity and compliance and decreased turnover and injuries.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE ESSAY

Aufegger et.al., (2019) found that when leadership working within the healthcare team shared responsibility the team members felt more psychologically safe and had greater situational awareness. They also had higher performance scores compared to other teams that did not feel supported.

When working with my teams I have an open-door policy and encourage my team to express concerns and provide suggestions on how to improve the care we provide. I am willing to come onto the unit and work with them side by side and help when it is needed. I also expect the same from my assistant managers. I have reduced my turnover to less than 20% over the last 4 years and I am hoping to keep those numbers going down. One thing I have implemented is unit champions. I have asked my team to volunteer as patient experience, morale, wound, diabetes, mobility champions for our unit. I feel that they are the experts on the unit and they need to be part of making it a safe place. By asking them to take on roles and relate peer to peer it helps them feel like they belong and are valued.

As an advanced practice nurse in leadership, it is my responsibility to advocate for my team, promote and grow them in their careers, and help them achieve their goals. I try to make sure that I stay up to date with them on their schooling and give them a safe space to grow and learn just as it is my responsibility to coach and guide them when it is needed.

References

Aufegger, L., Shariq, O., Bicknell, C., Ashrafian, H., & Darzi, A. (2019). Can shared leadership enhance clinical team management? A systematic review. Leadership in Health Services (1751-1879), 32(2), 309–335. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1108/LHS-06-2018-0033