Introduction
The work of a nurse leader is complex and varied. To meet the needs of patients, medical professionals must work quickly and efficiently. Coordination and proper communication are key to delivering consistent, competent, and effective care.
Because of these requirements, nursing leaders are vital to any healthcare organization. They are responsible for connecting nurses and all other professionals into a unified force of patient wellness. Resolving workplace issues and acting as a mediator during conflicts, among other things, are all daily considerations of a nursing leader.
For this work, I have interviewed a nursing leader from a Level 2 Trauma Center. Their contribution has been invaluable in gaining a more complete understanding of the profession and its importance. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the interview results above and bring more awareness to the role of a nursing leader in a healthcare setting.
Reflections on the Interview
This interview has been both a challenging and enjoyable task to undertake. All of the questions were categorized and prepared beforehand, which helped to streamline the discussion and focus on the most critical aspects of the profession. When I reached out for an interview, my request was met with openness and positivity, making forming a productive conversation easier.
The nursing leader was pleasant to talk to, informative, and easy to understand. They gave detailed and short answers, repeated themselves if I was struggling to understand an idea, and elaborated on their ideas if needed. Overall, I can say that this interview left a pleasant impression on me and gave me invaluable experience in talking with medical professionals about their work.
Lessons Learned
Thanks to this interview, I have managed to understand several ideas and lessons. First, nursing leaders act as an adhesive within the hospital, connecting all other professionals. Even beyond their overreach of other nurses, they strive to communicate with doctors, service providers, and other professionals, start conversations, and be heard.
Their influence and authority can create interdisciplinary teams of professionals and lead them in the healthcare delivery process. Related research shows nursing leaders are key to creating adaptable and healthy work environments (Bowles et al., 2019). The capability of a nursing leader to influence other healthcare professionals appears to be often overlooked, and the interview was a vital asset in remedying this issue.
Secondly, I was especially interested in the interviewee’s perspective on using technology in nursing. In the modern age, technological improvements and advancements are omnipresent, changing the shape of the healthcare landscape. Nurses and nursing leaders alike had to adjust to using electronic health records, management systems, and other innovations, which have ultimately helped them do their jobs more effectively. However, the input of the nursing leader regarding the downsides of technology was eye-opening.
Nursing is primarily a profession that relies on interpersonal relations. Nurses build connections with other nurses and their patients, creating a climate of mutual understanding and support. However, it may be difficult for nurses and nursing leaders to adapt and use new technology (Brown et al., 2020).
When face-to-face communication and interaction are supplemented by technology or completely replaced, problems may arise. There are currently available methods and pathways to practice leadership online, but they may present an impossible barrier between the leader and their subordinates in some environments (Sharpp et al., 2019). The lack of authentic connection or the inability of nursing leaders to feel emotionally close to their colleagues is one consequence I would not have accounted for.
Another interesting point made by the nursing leader was their wish to return to the roots of nursing. In the interconnected world where perpetual expansion is seen as the positive, the wish to focus on bedside care and direct patient interaction was surprising. This is a refreshing look at the potential future of the profession, one that considers automation and technology as a pathway to simplify the job of a nurse. In this way, nursing professionals could focus on what they do best – finding a way to support and connect with their patients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this interview was fascinating and informative. I think the nursing leader who was the subject of the interview was invaluable in my academic journey. They assisted me in forming a deeper and more meaningful understanding of nursing as a field and considering new perspectives for its growth in the future. Without their help and insight, I could not reframe nursing as a job about connection, communication, and empathy.
While professional competence and knowledge are key to becoming a successful nurse, it is also vital to understand patients, feel their ills, and strive to remedy them. After reviewing the interview as a whole, I have changed my perception of nursing and nursing leadership. The nursing leader is right in seeing the future of nursing as one where healthcare professionals can have more direct contact with their patients. I consider the goal of bringing people together a worthwhile pursuit in building stronger, more resilient communities.
References
Bowles, J. R., Batcheller, J., Adams, J. M., Zimmermann, D., & Pappas, S. (2019). Nursing’s leadership role in advancing professional practice/Work environments as part of the quadruple aim. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 43(2), 157-163. Web.
Brown, J., Pope, N., Bosco, A. M., Mason, J., & Morgan, A. (2020). Issues affecting nurses’ capability to use digital technology at work: An integrative review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 29(15-16), 2801-2819. Web.
Sharpp, T. J., Lovelace, K., Cowan, L. D., & Baker, D. (2019). Perspectives of nurse managers on information communication technology and E‐LEadErship. Journal of Nursing Management, 27(7), 1554-1562. Web.