Ethics and Leadership
Main ideal presented in the article: Nurses feeling unsupported by their leaders is an issue that is apparent in several situations, but is rarely addressed. Reasons for not addressing this issue are numerous. Nursing leaders and executives should be held accountable for having the ethical responsibility for supporting these nurses.
Summary of the material presented in the article: The formal nurse leader is expected to practice as a role model for nurses he or she is in charge of leading. In this article, nurse leaders refers to executives, managers, charge nurses, supervisors, ect. There is information that shoes that nurses who work at the bedside believe that the support and guidance of their leaders (of all levels) is of an extreme importance, but they do not feel that they have this support in times of need. Recommendations were made that nurse leaders take an opportunity to determine the staff nurses perception of them, and work to uphold this ethical standard that is expected.
Synthesis of the material presented in the article: Nurses are in contact need of support and guidance throughout their daily practice. When they feel that that do not have this support from senior leaders, mistakes are more likely to occur. Nurse leaders should take into account the input and concerns of their staff in order to be an ethical leader. In the world of nursing we know that we should work as a team to have the best possible outcomes for our patients, but as staff nurses, many feel that this team work is not presented when formal leaders are involved.
Application of material in the article: The recommendations made by the author related to the nurse leader determining the perception of the nurses around them, and taking this information to make the needed changes in leadership style could be very beneficial if actually applied.
Which thoughts are most interesting and why? The author discusses that this is an issue that has only appeared in research a handful of times over the past twenty years, and yet it has been a known problem for just as long.
What is the author’s purpose in terms of policy or nurses’ role in leadership in healthcare policy? The author discusses that the nurse leader should take into account the nurses feelings, input, and concerns related to new policies before the implementation process is begun.
What kind of assumptions does the author make? At the first of the article the author assumes that nurse leaders understand their ethical responsibilities to those in which they are leading. In the recommendations section of the article, the author further discusses that a Code of Ethics related to this situation may be to be revisited and revised so that nurse leaders will know what is expected of them.
Describe how this article helps you understand concepts (identify the concept) associated with your role in healthcare policy leadership and participation: The concept of teamwork seems even more important to me after reading this article. When there is an issue with healthcare policy, we should be able to depend on our leaders to support an issue that may arise, which is a prime example of teamwork.
What implications do you see for your future as an advocate and participant in healthcare policy? As I further my career in nursing, I do see myself in a leadership position of some sort. If I am ever fortunate enough to receive this opportunity, I will strive to be the leader that nurses feel support them 100% and take into consideration the feedback that comes from the nurses who are still practicing at the bedside.
One question that was raised related to the article: Why has this issue not been researched or investigated more in depth, so that a solution may be found?
Reference
Storch, J., Makaroff, K., Pauly, B., & Newton, L. (2013). Take me to my leader: The importance of ethical leadership among formal nurse leaders. Nursing Ethics, 20(2), 150-157. doi:10.1177/0969733012474291
Main ideal presented in the article: Nurses feeling unsupported by their leaders is an issue that is apparent in several situations, but is rarely addressed. Reasons for not addressing this issue are numerous. Nursing leaders and executives should be held accountable for having the ethical responsibility for supporting these nurses.
Summary of the material presented in the article: The formal nurse leader is expected to practice as a role model for nurses he or she is in charge of leading. In this article, nurse leaders refers to executives, managers, charge nurses, supervisors, ect. There is information that shoes that nurses who work at the bedside believe that the support and guidance of their leaders (of all levels) is of an extreme importance, but they do not feel that they have this support in times of need. Recommendations were made that nurse leaders take an opportunity to determine the staff nurses perception of them, and work to uphold this ethical standard that is expected.
Synthesis of the material presented in the article: Nurses are in contact need of support and guidance throughout their daily practice. When they feel that that do not have this support from senior leaders, mistakes are more likely to occur. Nurse leaders should take into account the input and concerns of their staff in order to be an ethical leader. In the world of nursing we know that we should work as a team to have the best possible outcomes for our patients, but as staff nurses, many feel that this team work is not presented when formal leaders are involved.
Application of material in the article: The recommendations made by the author related to the nurse leader determining the perception of the nurses around them, and taking this information to make the needed changes in leadership style could be very beneficial if actually applied.
Which thoughts are most interesting and why? The author discusses that this is an issue that has only appeared in research a handful of times over the past twenty years, and yet it has been a known problem for just as long.
What is the author’s purpose in terms of policy or nurses’ role in leadership in healthcare policy? The author discusses that the nurse leader should take into account the nurses feelings, input, and concerns related to new policies before the implementation process is begun.
What kind of assumptions does the author make? At the first of the article the author assumes that nurse leaders understand their ethical responsibilities to those in which they are leading. In the recommendations section of the article, the author further discusses that a Code of Ethics related to this situation may be to be revisited and revised so that nurse leaders will know what is expected of them.
Describe how this article helps you understand concepts (identify the concept) associated with your role in healthcare policy leadership and participation: The concept of teamwork seems even more important to me after reading this article. When there is an issue with healthcare policy, we should be able to depend on our leaders to support an issue that may arise, which is a prime example of teamwork.
What implications do you see for your future as an advocate and participant in healthcare policy? As I further my career in nursing, I do see myself in a leadership position of some sort. If I am ever fortunate enough to receive this opportunity, I will strive to be the leader that nurses feel support them 100% and take into consideration the feedback that comes from the nurses who are still practicing at the bedside.
One question that was raised related to the article: Why has this issue not been researched or investigated more in depth, so that a solution may be found?
Reference
Storch, J., Makaroff, K., Pauly, B., & Newton, L. (2013). Take me to my leader: The importance of ethical leadership among formal nurse leaders. Nursing Ethics, 20(2), 150-157. doi:10.1177/0969733012474291