Professional Development Needs Assessment Nursing Essay

Professional Development Needs Assessment Nursing Essay

Professional Development Needs Assessment Nursing Essay

Differences between Leadership and Management

Scholars and practitioners have attempted in the recent past to draw differences between leadership and management. The explanations of a manager and a leader have profound similarities, but it is evident that while some managers can be leaders, not all have the attributes associated with leadership (Hackman & Johnson, 2013).  The fundamental difference between the two concepts lies in the manner in which they encourage and offer motivation to their subordinates and followers. It has been established most people are both because, while they have management duties and responsibilities, they are also aware that they cannot buy or borrow the people’s hearts and force them to follow especially during times of difficulty. The managers, therefore, understand that they have to play the role of leaders (Huber, 2013).

What are the differences between managers and leaders then? This is a question that most people are unable to respond to. However, a manager in an organization has distinct roles and responsibilities. Specifically, managers are tasked with performing the four duties of management that include planning, controlling, leading and organizing. It should not be escaped that leading is one function of management (Hackman & Johnson, 2013). It could, therefore, theoretically speaking, be expected that all managers should be leaders. However, this can only be realized if all managers were able to carry out all the roles of leadership that include communicating, inspiring, motivating and encouraging employees to achieve efficiency and productivity. Unlike a leader, a manager is considered a manager by virtue of holding a position where the subordinates adhere and follow his/her instructions because they are required and demanded so. The primary concern of a manager is to achieve the set goals of an institution and does so by focusing on effectiveness through laid down systems, structures, and controls.

Concepts That Facilitate Collaboration and Support Interprofessional Teams

Collaborations and partnerships among the diverse professionals across the healthcare system are critical factors that contribute greatly to positive outcomes in the health care continuum. A strong relationship among the various groups ensures the development of positive team spirit which is essential in mitigating the challenges of providing health care in the current society (Kallas, 2014).  This goal can only be achieved if the participants in the collaborations are able to exhibit emotional maturity and express proactive engagements where mutual respect for the expertise of each member is called upon and appreciated. Emotional maturity is achieved if the parties to the partnership can identify the latest best practices through being vigilant and thereby, improving their skill sets from time to time (Holtschneider & Park, 2015).

Collaborations that constitute members from different disciplines achieve their targets by staying humble, being confident and taking responsibility for achievements and any failures. Adopting a mindset that is open to continuous improvement as opposed to a perfectionist mind should be adopted. In my opinion, leadership is more of a character and the capacity to keep up and adapt to the ever-changing healthcare environment, rather than ruthlessly aiming to accomplish a set of tasks (Holtschneider & Park, 2015). This then differentiates leaders from managers. A robust communication strategy is crucial in exercising the function of leading, especially when that role is carried out in a group with diverse professional backgrounds. Professional socializations resulting from the education and experience obtained from the teachers during the school days have proven to be a huge challenge to successfully achieving positive results. However, with proper communication and practicing emotional maturity, the barriers can be dealt with easily (Hackman & Johnson, 2013).

Evaluating my Leadership and Communication Style

My belief is that leadership is primarily a communication-based activity as leaders continuously spend their time creating tailored messages that are transferred to stakeholders and followers. Hackman and Johnson (2013) argue that with more leadership duties and responsibilities bestowed upon an individual, the more communication is required of them. They further argue that it is, therefore, sufficient to use the communications style employed by a leader to determine their leadership style. My entire nursing profession has been, and it will, based on effective communication among the various concerned parties. I exercise flexibility, ability to choose the type of audience, and exercise categorization in the determination of the communication technique and style to be employed. I am more focused on the ‘we’ rather than on the ‘me’. Understanding these factors has helped me to choose the most appropriate communication style to suit a given audience and function. As noted by Huber (2013) grasping the audience and function enables an effective communicator to choose between functional, analytical, personal and intuitive communication techniques to ensemble the setting, I have demonstrated that ability in my nursing profession.

What I believe has set me up to this role is the ability to focus on the bigger picture and delegate some of the smaller tasks to heads of groups. In achieving this goal, I have relied heavily on effective communication to meet both my goals and those of partnership. I have developed the ability to create a vision and motivate myself and my professional colleagues to meet the set goals while also meeting personal satisfaction and gratification puts me into the category of transformational leaders (Giltinane, 2013).

Future Professional Development

While I feel confident that with the support of the staff and colleagues in the facility, we shall be able to achieve tremendous progress in addressing the challenges facing the institution in healthcare provision, I am aware that I need to equip myself with some specific skills. The set of skills required in this role, that I may not have needed in my previous roles as a leader, by virtue of the position in regard to the governance structure include dealing with collaborations.  Previously, most of my tasks were performed within a single department. With this new role, working within partnerships is mandatory and therefore, I believe I need to sharpen my interdisciplinary skills to have a positive impact on the functioning of the partnerships (Huber, 2013). Other areas that I will need to enhance my skills in include in human resources management, fiscal management, strategic planning and the overall resource planning and directing. Improving the business skills will not only allow the organization to reap the rewards and faith they showed me, but I will also become a better and competent leader of the group.

Essay Professional Development Needs Assessment

Professional Development Needs Assessment Nursing Essay