Nurse as Leader and Manager

Which of the following qualities do nurse leaders possess that makes them obtain excellence in their role?

Ability to provide clear visions, goals, and expectations The nurse leader should have the ability to provide clear visions, goals, and expectations for team members. The nurse leader should be a proactive communicator, provide timely feedback, and act in a positive but proactive manner. These qualities lead to excellence in nursing leadership.

Which of the following best describes the nurse leader in the role of negotiator?

Mediates internal or external conflict with various stakeholders The nurse leader must be prepared to successfully negotiate conflicts arising from both internal and external sources and from various stakeholders. The nurse leader should not be narrowed in focus because all conflicts directly or indirectly affect all members of the health care delivery system including the patients and their support systems.

A staff nurse informs the nurse manager that the nurse would like to gain broader experience in other departments of the acute care facility. What response by the nurse manager demonstrates effective leadership?

"Would you be willing to help on another unit? They need a shift leader for a couple weeks." Working in another unit would not only meet the nurse's goal of broadening their professional experience, it might also meet a personal desire to stay fresh by experiencing a different unit's culture. A nurse who has a goal of gaining broader experience likely wants to avoid stagnation. Taking on a new challenge of being a shift leader of an unfamiliar unit would keep the nurse motivated and to gain varied experience. Precepting for a new nurse does not offer the staff nurse the variety that is being requested, nor does working with a senior nurse in the same department.

A nurse leader is having a discussion with a team member about changes that will be made on the unit. Which statement by the team member demonstrates the greatest problem for the leader?

"I don't think you heard what the rest of us had to say." Getting feedback about difficult implementation or requests for additional information are things that a leader can work with. Being perceived as someone who isn't listening to the messages of their staff, however, is a critical problem that results in decreased trust and employee engagement. Effective listening is essential to leadership. Additional direction or feedback are things that a leader can provide.

A nurse manager must make an important decision regarding a staff member's continued employment on the unit. In order to avoid the pitfalls involved in decision-making, what should the nurse manager do?

Choose a decision-making style that will best fit the situation. The nurse manager should choose a decision-making style that best fits the specific situation. The situation related to a staff member's employment is sensitive and therefore requires discretion on the part of the nurse manager. It would not be prudent to discuss this with other members of the staffing team. One of the most common pitfalls of decision making is to base a decision on a first impression because this leads to confirmation bias. The manager should not allow the past to influence current decisions.

A nurse exhibits leadership traits associated with the role of nurse leader. What activities demonstrated by the nurse would demonstrate these leadership traits? (Select all that apply.)

Mentoring two new managers, Providing feedback about job performance, Establishing goals for the coming year, Advocating for an employee regarding personnel policies, Providing a motivational speech at the new employee orientation The modern nurse leader wears many hats, including developing staff through training, mentoring, and feedback; strategic planning; advocating for both employees and patients; and providing motivation. Appointing a successor is likely to be out of the realm of responsibility of the nurse leader. The nurse can develop the staff so that one or more of them are prepared to be the successor.

Which of the following are sources conflicts that nurse leaders might face? (Select all that apply.)

Patient's support system, Between members of the health care team, Novice and seasoned nurses, Multigenerational nurses, Cultural differences Conflicts in nursing arise from each of the sources and are related to the stress of caring for the well-being of multiple people, fearing for loved one's health, and differing values and beliefs.

A nurse on the acute care unit demonstrates the positive traits of a good leader when working with new employees. What trait does the nurse manager cite when performing the nurse's evaluation?

Role modeling A leader is a good role model. Modeling is also an effective teaching method for developing team members who aspire to leadership. An assigned position, planning a unit's goals, and deciding daily patient assignments are all traits or actions of a manager, but a leader may not always be a manager.