Competency
Evaluate leadership and management attributes that support critical decisions for nursing practice.
Scenario
You have recently started a position as a department director with five managers reporting to you. Earlier today, one of your managers reports that a client expired on her unit. She suspects that a factor that may have contributed to the client’s demise may be related to actions of a nurse on her unit. This nurse has several notes in her personnel file that reflect potential client abuse. You and the nurse manager both have concerns that this sentinel event must be investigated.
Later in the day, the Chief Nursing Officer asks you to speak to new nurse managers to share attributes of leadership with the plan of enhancing their leadership skills. You see an opportunity to combine the situation of the client with a bad outcome, due to the alleged influence of one of the nurses, while building information to share this real-life situation with new nurse leaders.
Instructions
As a follow up to the investigation of the client’s unexpected death, generate an internal memo to your managers to reflect leadership and management attributes and include steps taken to investigate this unfortunate situation. As you create this memo, keep in mind that you should include:
At least five leadership and/or management attributes for nurse leaders, as well as how they can improve client outcomes.
Steps you would take to assure collection of data regarding this incident.
Describe how transformational leadership style may influence the process of investigating this professional nurse colleague that reports to one of your unit managers.
Provides stated ideas with professional language and attribution for credible sources with correct APA citation, spelling, and grammar.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a department director overseeing multiple managers and staff, it is important to have strong leadership and management skills. In the medical field, these attributes are especially vital as they can directly impact patient outcomes. In this scenario, the unexpected death of a client has prompted an investigation and the need to enhance leadership skills for nurse managers. This answer will outline the steps that can be taken to investigate the incident, identify five leadership and management attributes for nurse leaders, and discuss how a transformational leadership style may influence the investigation process.
Answer:
Internal Memo to Managers Regarding Leadership and Management Attributes for Nurse Leaders and Incident Investigation
Dear Managers,
As we work through the investigation of the unexpected death of a client on one of our units, it is important to reflect on our leadership and management attributes and their impact on patient outcomes. In this memo, I would like to highlight five leadership and management attributes for nurse leaders, steps that we will take to collect data regarding this incident, and the influence of transformational leadership style on the investigation process.
Leadership and Management Attributes for Nurse Leaders:
1. Effective Communication: Nurse leaders should have strong communication skills to facilitate collaboration and ensure that all staff understand their roles and responsibilities.
2. Critical Thinking: Nurse leaders need to be able to analyze complex situations, including client care incidents, and make informed decisions.
3. Emotional Intelligence: Nurse leaders should be aware of their own emotions and those of their staff to promote a positive work environment.
4. Adaptability: Nurse leaders should be able to adapt to changes in the healthcare environment and make necessary adjustments to promote patient safety.
5. Teamwork: Nurse leaders should promote teamwork and collaboration among staff to improve patient outcomes.
Steps Taken to Assure Collection of Data:
1. Review all available client records and documentation related to the incident.
2. Interview the nurse in question and any other staff members who may have relevant information.
3. Consider any previous incidents involving the nurse and review her personnel file.
4. Consult with legal and compliance departments to ensure that the investigation is thorough and follows all appropriate protocols.
5. Implement any necessary changes to policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Transformational Leadership Style and Investigation Process:
A transformational leadership style may be particularly useful in the investigation process as it promotes collaboration, innovation, and an emphasis on the common goal of patient safety. By engaging staff in the investigation process and promoting a shared vision for improved patient outcomes, nurse leaders can help maintain a positive work environment while addressing serious incidents like the one we are investigating.
Thank you for your attention to these matters. I believe that by prioritizing effective leadership and management attributes and promoting a thorough investigation, we can create a safe and positive patient care environment.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
