Nurse Leaders' Interview Paper

Nurse Leaders' Interview Paper

Introduction

Dani is a nurse manager who works for the neuro unit and usually employs the servant leadership method when dealing with her patients. However, Deborah, who is the second participant of the interview, happens to be a nurse manager who follows the transactional leadership method and manages a stepdown unit. The third participant, namely Cindi, is a nurse manager on in the cardiac unit and commonly applies the transformational style of leadership. This paper is aimed at analyzing the leadership styles which are commonly employed by nurse managers in order to get the best out of their charges-a goal which is common to all styles of leadership with regard to nursing. In addition, this paper will also discuss the questions and answers which were put to these nurse managers as part of the interview.

Discussion

Transformational Leadership

Transformational leaders have a wide vision. Communication takes up a lot of time of such leaders. This style of leadership does not usually demand leaders to lead from front, as they transfer the responsibilities to the other staff members. Their zeal is contagious, but others need support for details. In many organizations and professions such as nursing, there is a need for transformational leadership, as well as transactional leadership. Like everything else, it is always advisable to change the styles depending on the situation. In order to bring about positive outcomes and to get a better response from their patients, the method which is known as transformational leadership is very appropriate and useful in the development and consolidation of relationships, which serve as means to effect outcomes of a positive nature (Hibberd & Smith, 2006). Leadership has been described by many in various ways. However, leadership basically is the process through which a certain individual yields considerable amount of influence on his or her charges, for the achievement of a particular or specific goal or aim, towards which the others strive, with the leader leading the charges (Northouse, 2004).

Basically, transformational leadership is aimed at motivating and encouraging the nurses under the control of the manager nurse to perform even better than they intended or aimed for, and more than what they had considered to be within their reach (Bass & Avolio, 1994). Therefore, this method of leadership, as far as leadership is concerned, is aimed at bringing the best out of the other nurses, and for the manager, this method of leadership aims at getting the best out of the nurses under his or her charges (Avolio et al, 1999).

Servant Leadership

The term was given in the 1970s by Robert Greenleaf, which is often used for an unsung and unrecognized leader. When an individual, at a particular level, led by the simple fact of being respected (and even revered) by his peers, then he or she is described as a "servant leader". He or she is that employee hidden without ambition to ascend, which perfectly fulfills his or her work and has experience in various workings, ...