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Running head: NURSE LEADER 1

NUR 490: Nurse Leader Interview

Allison Carlucci

Old Dominion University


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Nurse Leader Interview

Leadership is a vital aspect of the nursing role. According to Sullivan, a leader is

anyone who uses interpersonal skills to influence others to accomplish a specific goal (Sullivan,

2013, p. 41). Therefore, to be an effective leader, one must possess and demonstrate qualities

and traits of a nurse leader. A leader is someone in a formal or informal position who is on the

frontline and promotes change by inspiring and empowering others. As a future nurse, it is

important to gain insight into the role of a nurse leader.

The nurse who I chose to interview holds several leadership roles at the hospital where

she works. She is a bedside nurse in an intensive care unit (ICU) as well as charge nurse.

Additionally, this individual is an MRT responder, a member of the partnership council at her

hospital, a part of the skin team and has been a preceptor for several student nurses. I chose to

interview this individual not only because she holds several leadership roles, but also because

after shadowing her for a short period of time, I was so impressed by how well she performs her

job. While she manages her multiple responsibilities very well, it is clear that her focus is

always centered around ensuring the safety and quality of care given to her patients.

Leadership Traits

Based on my conversation with the nurse leader I chose to interview, I believe that she

encompasses aspects from several different styles of leadership. For example, while this

individual displays characteristics associated with transformational leadership, she also embodies

qualities of servant leadership. She understands the importance of interpersonal relationships in

the workplace and how a healthy work environment can have a positive impact on patient

outcomes. Using TL as an organizational strategy improves patient care outcomes, reducing


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adverse events while improving patient satisfaction (Heuston & Wolf, 2011, p. 248). This

demonstrates the benefits of utilizing the transformational style of leadership for the promotion

of improved quality of care as well as patient outcomes. Furthermore, servant leadership is

based on the premise that leadership originates from a desire to serve and that in the course of

serving, one may be called to lead (Sulluvan, 2013, p. 44). The nurse leader interviewed

represents this theory well. She discussed that when she is charge nurse she attempts to assist the

other nurses and ease their load when possible, and they in turn appreciate and respect her.

Additionally, the individual I interviewed identified several personal leadership traits which

included being a servant, being assertive when necessary, and trusting her colleagues, as well as

not micromanaging but always being willing to provide assistance when needed.

Organizational Structure

After discussing organizational structures with the individual whom I chose to interview,

she identified the hybrid structure as being similar to the structure used where she works.

According to Sullivan, the hybrid structure can provide simultaneous coordination within

product divisions, can improve alignment between corporate and service or product goals, and

foster adaptation to the environment while maintaining efficiency (2013, p. 16). This type of

structure can be beneficial as an organization grows. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that

hybrid managers enhance clinical and management outcomes, and that they can perform a key

role in determining organizational change (Correia & Denis, 2016, p. 108). In addition, the

nurse I interviewed works at an acute care hospital that is classified as a general care facility.

The hospital where she works is considered a teaching hospital and hires hospitalists to provide

care to hospital inpatients alone.

Healthcare Challenges
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As a nurse leader, there will ultimately be many challenges that must be faced.

Therefore, it is beneficial to hear examples of how current nurse leaders have positively

addressed various challenges faced in healthcare. The individual I interviewed emphasized the

importance of using critical thinking to be proactive in ones care as a bedside nurse as well as

recognizing when to delegate. As a charge nurse, she said it is necessary to understand how to

balance protecting her team while also obeying orders from upper management, in addition to

being able to appropriately utilize resources while maintaining a positive attitude. According to

Sullivan, nurses unique skills in communication, negotiation, and collaboration position them

well for the system today and for the future (2013, p. 7). The example the nurse leader

interviewed provided of a time when she positively addressed a challenge faced in the workplace

demonstrates the need for communication. A challenge she faces as a charge nurse is managing

the high ratio of patients to nurses when making assignments for the day. For example, one day

she knew she would be losing three nurses at three that afternoon; therefore, she had to adjust

accordingly. The intensive care unit where she works has two floors, so she chose to put the

overflow patients on the same floor where one nurse can care for four patients, and the ICU

patients on the other floor, where one nurse can care for two or three patients if necessary.

Furthermore, she cared for two patients herself which meant that she could not be an MRT

responder. Therefore, she had to utilize her resources appropriately and alert either the CCU

charge nurse or the ICU nurse educator, both of whom are qualified to be an MRT responder.

Through communication, critical thinking and the appropriate use of resources, she successfully

placed nurses with patients in order to ensure patient safety. Leadership is a vital component of

nursing; therefore, it is necessary to cultivate leadership skills through not only firsthand

experiences but also through the experiences of current nurse leaders in health care.
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References

Correia, T., & Denis, J. L. (2016). Hybrid management, organizational configuration, and

medical professionalism: evidence from the establishment of a clinical directorate in

Portugal. BMC Health Services Research, 1673-83. doi:10.1186/s12913-016-1398-2

Heuston, M. & Wolf, G. (2011). Transformational leadership skills of successful nurse

managers. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 41(6), 248251

Sullivan, E., J. (2013). Effective leadership and management in nursing. Upper Saddle River,

NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

I pledge to support the Honor System of Old Dominion University. I will refrain from any form
of academic dishonesty or deception, such as cheating or plagiarism. I am aware that as a
member of the academic community it is responsibility to turn in all suspected violators of the
Honor Code. I will report to a hearing if summoned.

Name: Allison Carlucci

Signature: Allison Carlucci

Date: May 30, 2017


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% Comments Points
Grading Criteria
Describe the nurse leader you chose for the 10
interview and why you chose this person

Analyze and describe the nurse leaders 25


leadership traits and style. Support with
references.

Describe the organizational structure, health 25


care setting or health care model where your
nurse leader practices. Support with
references.
Describe how your leader positively 20
addresses a challenge health care (as
described in Chapter 1 of your Sullivan text).
Give a specific example.
Correct grammar, essay writing, spelling and 10
punctuation

Correct use of APA format including citations 10


of references and reference page.
Adherence to page limit. Utilizes a minimum
of three references to support paper. Include
the honor code and attach the grading
rubric. Submit through Safe Assign.

Final Grade 100

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