Sandra
Nursing Leadership and Management
Two nurse executive competencies demonstrated in this case scenario are “Leading Change” and “Building and Leading Teams.” For “Leading Change,” nurse leaders showcased their ability to motivate and inspire the nursing staff toward a common goal—the establishment of a unified Professional Practice Model (PPM) across multiple hospitals. They did this by breaking down existing siloes and integrating innovative strategies like Liberating Structures to engage nurses in a transformative way. For “Building and Leading Teams,” these nurse leaders effectively created an inclusive environment that encouraged collaboration among nurses from various units and specialties (Wand et al., 2020). They facilitated discussions and feedback mechanisms, ensuring all voices were heard and integrated into the final PPM. Nurse managers in this scenario would play a crucial role in bridging the gap between executive decisions and frontline implementation. They would directly manage and support the nurses in understanding and adopting the new PPM, ensuring consistent practice across all settings.
Two nurse competencies essential to nursing leadership in the post-COVID era are “Resilience” and “Technological Aptitude.” Resilience is critical as leaders must navigate the ongoing challenges of healthcare delivery, manage crises effectively, and support their teams in high-pressure environments (Scheffler et al., 2022). In practice, this means nurse leaders must foster a culture of mental health awareness, encourage open communication, and promote work-life balance. Technological Aptitude has become indispensable with the increased reliance on telehealth, electronic health records, and other digital tools that were accelerated by the pandemic. Leaders must not only be proficient in these technologies but also champion the integration of digital health strategies to improve patient care and operational efficiency.
The four key phases for developing a successful strategic plan are “Assessment,” “Formulation,” “Implementation,” and “Evaluation.” During the Assessment phase, the organization identifies its current status and the external and internal factors influencing its operations. In the Formulation phase, strategic goals and objectives are defined based on the assessment’s findings. The Implementation phase involves putting the strategic plans into action and mobilizing resources to achieve the objectives. Finally, the Evaluation phase assesses the effectiveness of the strategy and makes necessary adjustments. Best practices for strategic planning include involving stakeholders at all levels, ensuring clear communication of the plan and its goals, and maintaining flexibility to adapt as needed. Nurse leader strengths such as vision, communication skills, and collaborative ability position them as essential to strategic planning. They can align diverse teams and resources towards common goals, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and continuous improvement.