Clinical Leadership in Nursing Practice

This assignment analyzes the crucial role of clinical leadership within nursing practice across various settings including education, research, management, and direct patient care. It highlights how effective clinical leaders support nurses in developing skills and contributing to clinical excellence. The importance of supportive, confident, and approachable leaders in achieving healthcare goals is emphasized.

LEADERSHIP IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Clinical leadership innovation and action........................................................................................3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................7
References........................................................................................................................................8
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INTRODUCTION
The concept of clinical leadership suggests that clinical leaders are experts in their field
because they are approachable and responsible for managing communication in the practice of
nursing (Williamson and et. al., 2015). They are also empowered to act as a role model that
manages all the aspects of nursing. Thus, in this respect the present research study has been
describing the concept of clinical leadership in nursing and how it enhances the value of nursing
and health care. From general point of view, it is analysed that effective clinical leadership leads
to innovation, innovation leads to change and that change brings improvements which is
essential in terms of enhancing service level, quality and professionalism. Thus, in this respect
the study has been describing the role of clinical leaders in clinical developments, change and
innovation.
CLINICAL LEADERSHIP INNOVATION AND ACTION
Clinical leaders are termed as health professional that are placed in the health care entities
for the purpose of leading change in practice and they also suggest innovations that generally has
a positive impact on clinical quality (Whitley and et. al., 2015). Innovation is bringing something
new in terms of changes which has some value and utility. In this regard, clinical leaders were
considered to adopt a congruent leadership approach. Clinical leaders emphasize on innovation
by developing new solutions and by putting their vision or values into action.
Clinical leaders also display the role of congruent leadership which is placed at the heart
of supporting clinical innovation and change (Clinical leadership and innovation. 2012). Clinical
leaders are also given much importance in the organizations as that enhances the value of future
investment. Therefore, it is clear that good clinical leadership is essential for optimal patient care
and with the changing scenario, it also enhances the requirements of health care sector.
Henceforth, to justify the statement, several articles are being used here (Storey and Holti, 2013).
Authors Topic and
Objectives
Methodology Findings and
Outcomes
Edward D Nicol, Kay
Mohanna and Jennu
Cowpe (2014)
The study was
conducted with the
perspectives on
Twenty senior
healthcare leaders
who were former
After, conducting the
study, it is
ascertained that
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clinical leadership: a
qualitative study
exploring the views
of senior healthcare
leaders in the UK. In
this study, clinician
are asked to play
major roles in NHS.
The main aim of the
study was to capture
the views of senior
UK health care
leaders regarding
their perception about
clinical leadership.
health ministers,
NHS executives and
medial directors.
They were
interviewed through
using a semi-
structured interview
technique (Nicol,
Mohanna and Cowpe,
2014). Further
grounded theory was
also used so as to
identify the themes.
clinical leadership is
regarded as a doctor
centric leadership
which is also more
inclusive. The focus
of the authors were
laid on history,
culture and changing
attitudes towards
health leadership
which were also
useful in terms of
managing health
aspects in the best
possible manner
(Nicol, Mohanna and
Cowpe, 2014).
John Stanley (2012) The study was carried
out on clinical
leadership and
innovation and which
also defines the role
of leadership with
that to innovation. In
the study, discussion
has been included
regarded impact of
clinical leadership on
service delivery
procedure.
Different case studies
were utilized for the
purpose of finding
out the role of clinical
leaders in changing
level of innovation in
health care practices.
Health care
professionals were
interviewed so that
they can give their
opinion regarding
importance of clinical
leadership.
The findings of the
research work clearly
states that clinical
leaders play most
prominent role in
encouraging the value
of service provision
through bringing new
practices and
services.
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Daly J, Jackson D,
Mannix J, Davidson
PM, Hutchinson M
(2014)
The research work
was carried out with
an aim to ascertain
the importance of
clinical leadership in
the hospital setting.
The study was based
on secondary analysis
which explored
organizational
wrongdoings in the
hospitals and along
with that, the study
has also highlighted
the nature of
ineffectual leadership
in the clinical
environment (Jackson
and et.al., 2014).
Thus, the study
focused on analysing
clinical nurse leader
responses for the
purpose of raising the
concern of nurses
(Jackson and et.al.,
2014).
In terms of outcomes,
it is ascertained that
effective leadership is
associated with
optimal hospital
performance; hence
in such respect the
research work has
focused on range of
hospital functions
which states the
aspects of health care
system. Afterwards,
completing the study,
it is analysed that
clinical leadership
increases and
improves the quality;
hence this holds
greater importance in
clinical setting
(Jackson and et.al.,
2014).
David Stanley (2012) The study was
conducted for the
purpose of stating
clinical leadership
characteristics and
how changing
attributes enhances
the chances of
In the research study,
two studies were used
with identical
questionnaire;
however both the
studies were based on
different countries
(Stanley, 2011). The
On the basis of
findings, it has been
analysed from both
the studies that
similar results are
identified (Stanley,
2011). The research
findings shows
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innovation. initial study was
larger and focused
more than describing
clinical leader
attributes. However,
this was the principle
focus of the studies.
greater similarity in
the practice of
clinical governance.
Thus, the study also
states that vision and
creativity holds less
importance as a
clinical leader
characteristic.
John Storey and
Richard Holti (2013)
(Possibilities and
Pitfalls for Clinical
Leadership in
Improving Service
Quality, Innovation
and Productivity).
The study was
conducted for the
purpose of
ascertaining how
effective clinical
leaders initiate and
lead service
improvements.
Further, the study
also focuses on how
service- level clinical
leaders in acute and
primary care develop
and implement
service quality
improvements.
The approach of case
study has been used
in the research work
so as to analyze the
importance of clinical
leadership in service
improvements
(Storey and Holti,
2013). The researcher
has also interviewed
74 informants across
4 cases that includes
hospital consultants,
junior doctors,
nurses, other
clinicians, managers
and commissioners.
Further, the interview
were also conducted
with a series of
observations of
meetings and service
On the basis of
results, the main
findings state that
clinical leadership
was found to occur at
multiple levels and it
also denotes that
clinicians’ aid in
shaping national
policy context.
Further it is also
identified that clinical
leaders are capable of
being open to new
ideas and new
knowledge which
aids them to facilitate
more improvements
in the service aspects
(Storey and Holti,
2013).
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contexts.
In order to support the above mentioned studies, it can be said that effective clinical
leadership is associated with various functions and it also needs to include health reform
objectives so as to manage functions of health care in effectual way. For instance- hospitals are
very costly because of size, complexity and also due to overall functional aspects of health care
system. Thus, in such respect it is essential for the clinicians to focus on clinical leadership so
that all such aspects can aid in enhancing the quality of healthcare services (Leading Clinicians
and Clinicians Leading. 2013). This can be termed as overall improvement in health care
services through adopting the approach of clinical leadership. However, despite the recognition
of the importance of effective clinical leadership, there are various barriers as well which affects
participation in clinical leadership. Clinical leadership requires broader clinician engagement so
that the value of service dimension can be enhanced. Similarly, in this context organizational
citizenship behaviour is defined as a work related behaviour that contributes in effective
functioning of the organization.
On the basis of generalized terms, the concept of leadership means to get the work done
through different people. In this domain, leadership in the clinical environment is getting more
imperative especially in the development of clinician led services. Most definitions of leadership
include a focus on shared goal, dependence on other’s actions to reach towards that goal and
management aspects (Clinical leadership and innovation. 2012). From theoretical viewpoint,
leader create conditions that encourage others to achieve the shared goal through collective
action. Thus, local leaders must have to identify care goals that also unify diverse
multidisciplinary teams and at the same time they align these with patient’s health goals. This is
highly essential in terms of enhancing the value of service delivery procedure and changing the
perspective of clinical leadership.
CONCLUSION
Thus, on the basis of entire study, it can be said that leadership is an imperative aspect to
nursing and it is also displayed across a various settings that comprises practice environment,
management, education and research. From the entire research procedure, it is being identified
that clinical leadership supports nurses and health care practitioners as they strive to develop
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clinical leadership skills that also enhances the value of clinical excellence. Therefore, it can be
said that clinical leaders need to be supportive, confident and approachable so that to they can
reach towards the goal of the health care services.
REFERENCES
Clinical leadership and innovation. 2012. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.sciedu.ca/journal/index.php/jnep/article/view/439/0>. [Accessed on 10th
April].
Jackson, J. D and et.al., 2014. The importance of clinical leadership in the hospital setting.
[Online]. Available through: <https://www.dovepress.com/the-importance-of-clinical-
leadership-in-the-hospital-setting-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-JHL>. [Accessed on 10th
April].
Leading Clinicians and Clinicians Leading. 2013. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1301814>. [Accessed on 10th April].
Nicol, D. E., Mohanna,K. and Cowpe, J., 2014. Perspectives on clinical leadership: a qualitative
study exploring the views of senior healthcare leaders in the UK. J R Soc Med. 107(7).
pp.277–286.
Stanley, J., 2011. Clinical leadership and innovation. [Pdf]. Available through:
<http://www.sciedu.ca/journal/index.php/jnep/article/viewFile/439/460>. [Accessed on
10th April].
Storey, J. and Holti, R., 2013. Possibilities and Pitfalls for Clinical Leadership in Improving
Service Quality, Innovation and Productivity. [Pdf]. Available through:
<http://www.netscc.ac.uk/hsdr/files/project/SDO_FR_09-1001-22_V05.pdf>. [Accessed
on 10th April].
Whitley, R. and et. al., 2015. Implementing the illness management and recovery program in
community mental health settings: facilitators and barriers. Psychiatric Services.
Williamson, K.M. and et. al., 2015. Utilization of evidence-based practice knowledge, attitude,
and skill of clinical nurses in the planning of professional development
programming. Journal for nurses in professional development. 31(2). pp.73-80.
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