Adult Nursing

Abstract of summary of work

The report discusses the developing future of nurse leaders which is one of the greatest challenges faced by the nursing profession (Mahoney, 21). Powerful leadership skills are needed by all nurses—those providing direct care to those in top management positions. Anyone who is looked to as an authority (e.g., a nurse taking care of a patient) or who is responsible for giving assistance to others is considered a leader (Mahoney, 21).

7 Articles Selected:

1. Ackley Betty J. and ladwig Gail B (2002). Nursing Diagnosis Handbook. A guide to planning care 6th Edition Mosby, USA.

2. Atkins, S., and Murphy, K., (1993), 'Reflection; a review of the literature'. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 18: 118 - 119.

3. Bass, B., and Avolio, B., (1990), Transformational leading ability development: Manual for the multifactor leading ability questionnaire. Consulting California Press, CA, USA.

4. Bennis, W.G., and Nanus, B., (1985), Strategies for taking charge. Harper Collins, New York.

5. Boud, D., Keogh, R., and Walker, D., (1985), Reflection: Turning experiences into learning. London: Kogan page.

6. Bowen, D., and Lawler, E., (1992), The empowerment of service workers: What, Why, how, and when. Sloan Management Review, Spring: 31 - 39.

7. Cohen, B.J., and Austin, M.J., (1997), Transforming human services organisations through empowerment of staff. Journal of community practice 4 (2), 35 - 50.

Evidence of comprehensive literature

A clinical nursing leader is one who is involved in direct patient care and who continuously improves care by influencing others (Cook, 20). Leadership is not merely a series of skills or tasks; rather, it is an attitude that informs behavior (Cook, 62). In addition, good leadership is consistent superior performance with long term benefit to all involved. Leaders are not merely those who control others, but they act as visionaries who help employees to plan, lead, control, and organize their activities (Jooste, 64).

Leadership has been defined many ways in the literature. However, several features are common to most definitions of leadership. For example, leadership is a process, involves influence, usually occurs in a group setting, involves the attainment of a goal, and leadership exists at all levels (Faugier & Woolnough, 22). There are several recognized leadership styles. Autocratic leaders set an end goal without allowing others to participate in the decision-making process (Faugier & Woolnough, 22). Bureaucratic leadership occurs when a leader rigidly adheres to rules, regulations, and policies. Participative leaders allow staff to participate in decision-making and actively seek out the participation of those involved. This type of leadership allows team members to feel more committed to the goals they were involved with formulating (Faugier & Woolnough, 26). Laissez faire leadership leaves employees to their own devices in meeting goals, and is a highly risky form of leadership. A more effective form of leadership may be situational leadership. This is where the leader switches between the above styles depending upon the situation at hand and upon the competence of the followers (Faugier & Woolnough, 27).

There is a difference between theory and style of leadership. According to Moiden ...