Nursing Leadership: Reflective Essay on Clinical Placement

This essay is a reflection on a nursing leadership experience during a clinical placement, focusing on an encounter with a couple, John and Mary, where John was diagnosed with mild dementia. The reflection covers the student's feelings of empathy, the evaluation of the RN's leadership, and an analysis of the situation using leadership principles such as communication, mentorship, and teamwork. The essay also emphasizes the importance of collaboration, shared decision-making, and the role of a servant-leader in nursing. The conclusion highlights the significance of teamwork and good nursing leadership in achieving positive patient outcomes. The action plan outlines steps to recognize team successes and ensure good patient treatment through empathy and effective communication. References to relevant literature support the analysis and conclusions.

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Student’s Name
Course Name
Professor’s Name
University Name
City, State
Date

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Description
In the previous placement, a couple aged 65 years and above, John and Mary arrived in
the hospital for medical checkup. Mary had brought her husband who was hypertensive to be
monitored on the progress of the blood pressure. Under the supervision of the RN, I measured
John's systolic and diastolic which showed 140/90 mmHg. During the cause of medication, Mary
pointed out that her husband doesn’t like taking the medication prescribed by the physician and
instead opts for his forms of treatment. The RN was baffled. John looked agitated and furious
with his wife after the discloser. Immediately, the RN was called to another patient, and she
requested I continue handling the situation while I waited for her. Mary continued to highlight
that her husband was also becoming forgetful of some things which made him angry with
himself so much. His behaviour had also changed and lost interest in the things that they enjoyed
doing together.
When the RN returned, I explained the concerns to her. I also noted that there was a need
to assess John to determine whether he was developing cognitive impairment. She suggested I do
it while she talked to Mary concerning the matter. The test diagnosed mild dementia. John
needed further assessment with a specialist that week. Handling a dementia person can be
overwhelming especially to the caregiver. Together with the team of nurses, we arranged to visit
Mary and John concurrently to monitor their well doing.
Feelings
I felt empathy for the couple for the challenges they were going through at their age. I felt
a need to help them stand for each other with the onset of dementia which requires great care and
sacrifice to the patient which can be overwhelming. With the RN delegating the duty to me made

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me proud as it gave me the chance to utilize my knowledge and carry out my nursing duty in
promoting good healthcare. I also felt appreciated by my other team members for taking the
initiative to ensure the couple continued to live well even at home.
Evaluation
I was pleased by the coordination of RN in ensuring safe care delivery to all the patients.
She was positive in carrying out her duties with promptness. The couple responded positively to
the situation after the good counselling with the RN. I had a great time the whole period of my
placement due to smooth running and collaboration of members in building and supporting each
other to achieve their potential. The RN showed good mentorship qualities in listening to me and
trusting in my abilities even as a practitioner. The overall situation was a success due to good
leadership and management portrayed by the behaviours of the whole multidisciplinary care.
Analysis
Good leadership was evident by how the RN was working closely to ensure the
satisfaction of the patients and other practitioners. Good leadership qualities in a nurse leader are
portrayed through communication skills, mentorship, and respect, dedication to excellence,
professional socialization and integrity. They always focus on what’s good for the whole
organization that is from the staff, patients and the team that they lead (Wong, 2015). Their focus
is always on the goal of the healthcare and not on themselves. Nurse leaders are
transformational. They love to hear the views of those around them, encourage decision- making
from the team and love their work and practice. Leaders are also confident enough and give
chances to other people to grow and give credit when things are done right (Ross et al., 2014).

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They set the environment that makes other members of the team have the belief that their work is
valuable makes a difference, and they can succeed.
Collaboration and teamwork ensured good services and satisfaction of the patients. A
good collaboration of health professionals enables understanding and good management of
patients(Regan, Laschinger and Wong, 2016). A high functioning team provides better support to
patients and each other when in stress. When working in team communication is
important(Vertino, 2014). It makes sure no one in the team is work loaded or left alone to deal
with a situation requiring a team of members. To be comfortable with one another in the team
trust is required. This fosters an understanding of how each member functions.
Shared decision-making was optimal. Patients and healthcare team work together to make
decisions about the care of the patient. It helps the patient understand the care options available
and choose that best suits him or her (Wong, 2015).
Conclusion
The episode helped foster an understanding that teamwork is important in achieving
maximum goals in the healthcare. It leads to positive outcomes of the patient. Information-
sharing and reasoned decisions from the team lead to a great patient outcome(Vertino, 2014).
Teamwork contributes to communication that is more effective. Teamwork in nursing increases
job satisfaction among the members (Bormann and Abrahamson, 2014). Good nursing leadership
is about service. Being a role model there is a call to be a servant- leader. That is evident by
being humble, open and ready to learn. A good leader creates and develops other leaders
(Grossman and Valiga, 2016).
Action plan

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1. I will ensure to recognize and reward the successes of the team members as a leader.
Rewards and recognition enhance creativity and innovation. It helps in meeting the goals
and objectives of the team and the overall healthcare. Encouraging words to the team
motivates them to more dedication in their work. Set standards of behavior aligned with
the values, standards, and mission of the organization (Scully, 2015).
2. I will ensure good treatment of patients. Patients can experience stress on their
conditions, procedures, recovery, surgeries or injuries. A collaborative relationship with
patients is built when nurses show empathy. It helps in bringing out causes, explanations
or symptoms leading to proper diagnosis and treatments (Cherry and Jacob, 2016). Good
communication and respect between nurses and patients leads to positive outcomes like
optimistic in recovery, pain alleviation, shorter stays in hospital and decreased anxiety.

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References
Bormann, L. and Abrahamson, K., 2014. Do staff nurse perceptions of nurse leadership
behaviours influence staff nurse job satisfaction? The case of a hospital is applying for Magnet®
designation. Journal of Nursing Administration, 44(4), pp.219-225.
Cherry, B. and Jacob, S.R., 2016.Contemporary nursing: Issues, trends, & management. Elsevier
Health Sciences.
Grossman, S. and Valiga, T.M., 2016.The new leadership challenge: Creating the future of
nursing. FA Davis.
Regan, S., Laschinger, H.K. and Wong, C.A., 2016. The influence of empowerment, authentic
leadership, and professional practice environments on nurses’ perceived interprofessional
collaboration. Journal of nursing management, 24(1), pp.E54-E61.
Ross, E.J., Fitzpatrick, J.J., Click, E.R., Krouse, H.J. and Clavelle, J.T., 2014. Transformational
leadership practices of nurse leaders in professional nursing associations. Journal of Nursing
Administration, 44(4), pp.201-206.
Scully, N.J., 2015. Leadership in nursing: The importance of recognising inherent values and
attributes to secure a positive future for the profession. Collegian, 22(4), pp.439-444.
Vertino, K.A., 2014. Evaluation of a TeamSTEPPS© initiative on staff attitudes toward
teamwork.Journal of Nursing Administration, 44(2), pp.97-102.
Wong, C.A., 2015. Connecting nursing leadership and patient outcomes: state of the science.
Journal of Nursing Management, 23(3), pp.275-278.

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