Being the Democratic Leader in the Nursing Field

According to the Leadership Self-Assessment Activity, I ranked myself as a 66, which a score of fifty or higher indicates a desire to become a leader and a perceived ability to perform the tasks required of a leader. I believe this is an accurate outcome because I do believe I have the potential to lead as a licensed practical nurse; however, sometimes my lack of confidence can interfere with my ability to lead and instruct others I may feel inferior to. Also, the activity indicated I would use a participative style of leadership also known as democratic. This also is true and is one of the reasons I am sometimes hesitant to lead. It can be the perceived notion that leaders are not able to be liked by others. Sometimes it seems that leaders must be the bad guys or the ones “bossing” others.

However, being a democratic leader allows you to still lead, but not take complete control of all decisions. It allows the others to participate in decision making and research. I believe this can create a better leader and employee relationship. Allowing others to have say so in decision making can improve compliance of the employees to new rules and regulations. However, having many different opinions on subjects can create chaos. Then situations arise where an ultimate decision must be made. This is where I feel weak in my leadership skills, due to the fact I perceive myself as a people pleaser. I want the best for all, but sometimes others must sacrifice for the better for the majority, which can lead to conflict. This can create problems between the leader and employee because he or she may not feel as though his or her opinion was taken into consideration, although it was for the greater good.

In order to work on leadership needs, I need to consciously plan each day as a nurse to better myself. I need to ensure I am discipline and follow protocols according to lead by example. I need to ensure I maintain competence in my career. Continuing competence is specifically important in the medical field because the medical profession is such a continuously growing environment where rules and regulations change daily with new evidenced-based practice. I need to also work on listening to listen and not listening to speak. I believe there is a difference in listening to honestly hear someone out for his or her wishes or concerns and listening in order to wait for your next turn to speak. I am aware sometimes I listen just enough in order to have something to say in return rather than listening whole heartedly.

Also, I believe this type of leadership being democratic correlates well with my chosen career of home health care. Being a home health nurse is different than other nursing. It requires you to be in an environment without other medical professionals. You are responsible for the patient’s care completely while you are working as a licensed practical nurse. I feel that I work well in a one on one type of environment, and it allows me to be a leader for the patient. I am able to use allocated resources, such as other nurses or respiratory staff in the home office or outpatient physicians to coordinate care for my patient. This way I am leading as a nurse; however, I am not leading other employees. I believe my flaw with leading others is that I am not completely confident with everything in nursing due to the fact, I have little experience. Confidence comes with experience, and experience comes with time. I need to consciously work on continuing my competence as a licensed practical nurse. Learning doesn’t end with nursing school, rather it just begins. I believe there are many weaknesses I need to work on before becoming a leader, yet I do believe with experience and self-reflection I will become a great nurse leader.