Leadership Practicum Journal: Purpose Paper

Leadership Practicum Journal: Purpose Paper

Practicum Activities Reflection:

Over the past 3 weeks, my preceptor decided that we focus on the need for promoting performance appraisal among staff members to boost their morale and motivate them to continue doing their best. We majored in the need of evaluating the performance of each nursing staff, to determine whether they were able to achieve their set goals and to avoid the challenges associated with an appraisal. The process of performance appraisal utilized four main steps. In the first step, we assessed the institutional and personal needs of each staff member (Cho & Han, 2018). We then established the objectives and time frame for the set goals. The third step was assessing their progress and lastly evaluating their progress. Through this experience, I was able to realize the benefits associated with performance appraisal such as identifying areas of weakness, boosting staff morale and teamwork, increasing job satisfaction and motivation, and improving performance, in addition to identifying areas for further training. To avoid challenges associated with performance appraisal, my preceptor utilized appropriate leadership skills and competencies like good listening and communication skills, allowing each staff member to adequately explain themselves in terms of the challenges encountered and better ways to make the work environment more conducive.

Application of Leadership:

My preceptor utilized the servant leadership style. This leadership style requires leaders to serve team members and not just control them. Most of the staff members were however quite satisfied with this leadership style as it allowed them to exhibit their full potential in the provision of safe and quality care services. With this leadership style, my preceptor ensured that team members were involved in decision-making as he strived towards achieving authority rather than power (Neville et al., 2021). No incident was ever reported when my preceptor seemed like a dictator. Nevertheless, my preceptor served by example as a way of motivating team members on how to use critical thinking and innovation in improving patient outcomes. Staff members ended up being committed to their work with a high level of trust and loyalty. This led to a positive working environment with great collaboration among team members.

Practicum Project Preparation:

Effective communication plays a significant role in promoting collaborative practice essential in the provision of patient-centered care. through this practicum experience, I was able to appreciate different levels of communication in the care process. For starters, during the history-taking process, I would communicate with the patient in a polite, and non-judgmental tone, and give them adequate time to explain themselves hence promoting confidence and trust (D’Alimonte et al., 2019). Different healthcare professionals will also communicate with the same patient, with each clinician limited to their scope of practice. It was thus necessary to create a collaborative team to promote engagement and shared decision-making in coming up with an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan. The collaborative team is comprised of nurses, pharmacists, and physicians among other healthcare professionals depending on the patient’s chief complaint. To promote critical thinking and shared decision-making, it was necessary to exhibit appropriate communication skills such as professionalism, empathy, engaged listening, open-mindedness, and confidence. It was also necessary to ensure that the opinion of each team member from the different professional disciplines was taken seriously and considered in making the final decision. In collaborative care, communication is key in ensuring that the patient’s interest is at hand to promote a positive outcome.

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Leadership Video Reflection:

The “Servant Leadership – Issue of Rule” video, basically points out the different aspects of modern leadership style where managers are expected to be role models and enablers and not just powerful people who dictate their followers. When the leader serves the team, he or she does not outline roles for the employees but instead motivates them to utilize critical thinking skills and exhibit their full potential toward achieving the organization’s goals. Additionally, leaders must ensure that the team members work together in solving disputes and contribute to innovative interventions necessary to promote the safety and quality of care provided (Neville et al., 2021). The other lesson that can be gained from the video is the significance of authority and mastery among managers even as servants to employees. Despite managers leading from behind, they must maintain their power, control, authority, and ability to influence employees toward achieving the goals of the organization. Consequently, leaders must always serve as role models by leading by example as all the other staff members will be keen on how they handle their tasks, in terms of punctuality, dedication, and accuracy.

References

Cho, H., & Han, K. (2018). Associations among nursing work environment and health‐promoting behaviors of nurses and nursing performance quality: A multilevel modeling approach. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 50(4), 403-410. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12390

D’Alimonte, L., McLaney, E., & Di Prospero, L. (2019). Best practices on team communication: interprofessional practice in oncology. Current opinion in supportive and palliative care, 13(1), 69-74. DOI: 10.1097/SPC.0000000000000412

Neville, K., Conway, K., Maglione, J., Connolly, K. A., Foley, M., & Re, S. (2021). Understanding Servant Leadership in Nursing: A Concept Analysis. International Journal for Human Caring. DOI: 10.20467/HumanCaring-D-20-00022

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Please see attachment for template.

Clinical activities for weeks 5, 6 & 7 were Annual performance appraisals for staff, annual staff evaluations, merit increases per appraisals. Kronos time cards and approvals of time cards.
Assessment Description
Journaling provides a valuable tool for recording, reflecting on, and reviewing your learning. This approach provides an opportunity for you to “connect the dots” and observe the relationships between and among activities, interactions, and outcomes.

Unlike a personal journal of thoughts and feelings, this leadership journal is a record of your activities, assessments, and learning related to this academic experience.

Journal entries should include a record of the number of hours spent with your nurse leader each week.

Write a journal entry of 750-1,500 words on the subject of purpose, including the following:

Practicum Activities Reflection: Provide observations and thoughts on the activities in your practicum during Weeks 5, 6, & 7.

Application of Leadership: Describe your preceptor’s leadership style. How does this affect the people they lead. Do staff members express feelings of support and helpfulness? Are there examples of dictating rather than leading? Does the leader say or do things designed to “build up” staff or have you seen missed opportunities?

Practicum Project Preparation: Describe your communication plan for your stakeholders. Who will be notified of what and at what time? What education is needed and for whom?

Leadership Video Reflection: Reflect on at least two things you learned from the “Servant Leadership – Issue of Rule” video.

Please use the “Leadership Journal Template” to complete this assignment.