Integrate leadership and management principles and attributes in nursing practice You are assigned to six patients on the medical surgical unit working with a LPN/LVN and share a CNA with another RN. You are receiving report for your patients and need to identify what activities you will be assigning, delegating, supervising, and prioritizing for the shift.
Integrating leadership and management principles in nursing practice is essential for providing high-quality and efficient patient care. Leadership involves influencing and guiding others towards achieving a common goal, while management focuses on planning, organizing, and coordinating resources to accomplish these goals. In the given scenario, as a Registered Nurse (RN) assigned to six patients on a medical surgical unit, working with a Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) and sharing a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with another RN, effective leadership and management skills are crucial.
To effectively manage and lead the nursing team in this situation, several activities need to be assigned, delegated, supervised, and prioritized for the shift. These activities can be categorized based on their complexity, criticality, and the level of skill required. Prioritizing tasks ensures that the most urgent and important activities receive immediate attention.
One important aspect of leadership in this scenario is clear communication and delegation. The RN needs to engage in effective communication with the LPN/LVN and clearly articulate the expectations and responsibilities for each patient. This includes assigning specific patient care tasks such as medication administration, wound care, and patient education based on the scope of practice and competency of the LPN/LVN. Delegating appropriate tasks allows for efficient utilization of the healthcare team’s skills while maintaining patient safety and quality care.
Supervision is another integral part of leadership and management in nursing practice. As the RN, it is essential to provide ongoing supervision to ensure that assigned tasks are performed accurately and in a timely manner. Regularly assessing the LPN/LVN’s performance and providing appropriate feedback are crucial for maintaining patient safety and improving the quality of care. Supervision also involves addressing any concerns or difficulties that arise during the shift, ensuring that the team functions effectively and collaboratively.
Prioritizing tasks is an essential aspect of effective management in nursing practice. In this scenario, the RN needs to strategically prioritize patient care activities based on the acuity and stability of each patient. This involves identifying the most critical needs and addressing them first to ensure patient safety and prevent any potential complications. Factors like vital signs abnormalities, changes in condition, and medication schedules should be considered when prioritizing tasks for the shift.
Additionally, the RN needs to consider the workload distribution and collaborate with the other RN sharing the CNA to ensure a balanced assignment of tasks. This collaborative approach promotes teamwork, effective time management, and optimal utilization of resources. By working together, RNs can better allocate patient care responsibilities and have increased flexibility to address any urgent situations that may arise.
In summary, integrating leadership and management principles and attributes in nursing practice is crucial for providing safe and efficient patient care. In the given scenario, as an RN assigned to six patients on a medical surgical unit, working with a LPN/LVN and sharing a CNA with another RN, effective communication, delegation, supervision, and prioritization are key. Through clear communication and delegation, tasks can be assigned based on the scope of practice and competency of the healthcare team. Ongoing supervision ensures that assigned tasks are performed accurately and in a timely manner. Prioritizing tasks based on acuity and stability of patients allows for efficient time management and optimal utilization of resources. By integrating these leadership and management principles, nurses can ensure the provision of high-quality patient care and enhance patient outcomes.