Leadership & Nursing Care Management

Leaders and managers in the nursing field have the duty of leading groups of nurses or are responsible for an entire hospital unit. A successful nurse manager has effective leadership skills and can respond rapidly to any situation that arises.

Leadership Skills

• As a nurse completes school and receives a Registered Nurse (RN) license, she is likely to have the leadership skills to work directly with patients and be held responsible for their care. As a nurse continues with her career, she is likely to be able to train new nurses and even take the lead on a hospital floor or unit. A nurse may gain leadership skills through on-the-job experiences or through leadership courses that are offered through the hospital or at local colleges and universities.

Types of Leadership Skills

• The type of leadership skills a nurse implements is likely to vary from nurse to nurse. A nurse may carry about a democratic leadership style, engaging the nurses she is in charge of to make decisions on their own and work independently. Another nurse may practice an autocratic leadership style, providing specific instructions for her nurses. An autocratic leader seldom consults her nurses for input on how to successfully complete the job.

Considerations in Nursing Leadership and Management

• Nurse leaders and managers may be inclined to change their management styles based on the age and experiences of the nurses working below her. Younger nurses may benefit more from close supervision; experienced nurses are likely to be able to make their own decisions when it comes to patient care. Overall, regardless of leadership style, a nurse manager must effectively communicate with her staff in order to work in the most efficient manner possible.