How to Describe the Philosophy of Nursing Leadership

Nursing policies and procedures are an essential element of the health care industry. Patients spend more time with nurses than they do with the doctors or administrators of a particular institution. Nurses represent the institution at a concrete and practical level. The primary purpose of a Nursing Leadership Philosophy Statement is to present a clear and unambiguous description of the nursing policies and environment at a particular health care facility or hospital.

Instructions

• 1

  Write a one-paragraph summary that encapsulates the essential elements of the nursing program and leadership policies. Start the paragraph with a one- to two-sentence description of the nursing program. Give specific details concerning issues such as commitment to patients and families, the model of care, explaining the communicative and cooperative interaction between nurses and doctors, the nursing staff, and nurses and nursing assistants; and policies concerning accountability and responsibility.

• 2

  Describe the vision of the nursing environment at your health care facility or hospital in one or two paragraphs. Describe how the nursing environment contributes to the larger whole of the health care facility or hospital, the state in which the facility is located and the commitment to the American Nurses Association's (ANA's) Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics serves as an ethical guideline for consistent ethical behavior in the nursing profession.

• 3

  Ask several people at the health care facility or hospital to proofread the document. The readers should include nurses, doctors and administrators who are familiar with the nursing policies and goals of your institution. Ask for criticisms and suggestions. Make the necessary improvements and adjustments to the document.