BSN PROGRAM

BSN Program

BSN Program

Introduction

Competent nursing has been central to the care of people with disabilities for many centuries. Up until the nineteenth century, people who were sick or disabled because of old age, mental illness, or physical disability were usually cared for by their families at home. For the poor sick and destitute, institutional care existed in local charitable guest- or poor houses.

Professional nursing care by skilled nurses who were paid for their work, either in these institutions or through visiting nursing associations, grew during the nineteenth century. At that time, patterns of living and the provision of health care changed as a result of broader social changes, such as industrialization, urbanization, and changing work and gender relationships.

Thesis Statement

The situational approach to leadership asserts that there is no one best way to lead others and emphasizes that a leader's style and behavior should depend on the characteristics of his or her followers.

Discussion

Specifically, the situational approach to leadership model provides leaders with insight regarding the most effective leadership style to demonstrate based on the readiness of their followers. This approach contends that a leader will elicit maximum performance from his or her followers when the leader's behaviors are tailored to the followers' ability, willingness, and level of confidence.

Known previously as the life-cycle model of leadership and situational leadership theory, the situational approach to leadership has been revised several times, and the terminology has been modified with each revision. Research examining the behavioral approach to leadership has demonstrated that leaders engage in both directive behaviors and supportive behaviors (also recognized as task and relationship behaviors). Directive behavior refers to one-way communication that clearly explains each needed detail to the follower to ensure the completion of the task.

Supportive behavior is two-way communication with an interpersonal focus that demonstrates the leaders' desire to build and maintain relationships. The situational approach to leadership suggests that effective leaders practice both directive and supportive behaviors, yet their use depends on the developmental level of their followers (previously termed maturity).

Follower Development Level

Two follower factors make up the follower development level. The first is competence—it asks the question, “Does the follower have the skills and knowledge to successfully complete the task?” Competence refers to learned job-related abilities, knowledge, and skills gained from education or experience (earlier versions of the model referred to this as job maturity). The second determinant, commitment, asks, “Does the follower possess the motivation and self-assurance to successfully complete the task?” Commitment refers to the follower's motivation and self-confidence (earlier versions of the model referred to this as psychological maturity).

When the followers' developmental level is determined, an appropriate leadership style can be identified. The four leadership styles are directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating.

Leadership Styles

Directing (Telling)

The directing leadership style (S1), previously referred to as telling, is used when followers are at the lowest developmental level (D1). The directing style of leadership involves relaying information to the follower in a very clear, specific manner. The directing style primarily consists of one-way, top-down ...