NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 1

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4005 Nursing Leadership: Focusing on People, Processes, and Organizations

Prof. Name

Date

Collaboration and Leadership Reflection

Transformational leadership holds a pivotal role in cultivating a collaborative healthcare environment. As a nurse, I have personally observed the profound impact of effective leadership in enhancing teamwork and elevating patient outcomes. In this reflection, I will critically assess an interprofessional collaboration experience and contrast effective with ineffective leadership styles.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration Experience

In my practice, I was part of an interdisciplinary team with the objective of minimizing medication errors and enhancing patient safety by implementing a more structured communication protocol between nurses, physicians, and pharmacists. During this collaboration, we encountered challenges in ensuring precise medication reconciliation due to inconsistent documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. To address this, the nursing team initiated huddles at the start of each shift to discuss medication orders. We developed a shared documentation process to ensure real-time updates in the EHR system. The respect for professional roles and transparent communication fostered a sense of teamwork and collective responsibility. However, some team members, particularly those accustomed to traditional workflows, resisted the change. These delays in updating medication orders led to frustration among the nursing staff. A more structured change management approach, which included clear role definitions and additional training on the new documentation process, would have been beneficial.

Effective vs. Ineffective Leadership in Collaboration

Leadership is integral to guiding interdisciplinary teams and nurturing collaboration. Throughout this experience, I observed two distinct leadership styles: transformational and transactional. Transformational leadership proved highly effective, encouraging open dialogue and focusing on long-term improvement (Mekonnen & Bayissa, 2023). Leaders employing this approach promoted shared decision-making, thereby cultivating a culture of collaboration. In contrast, transactional leadership, which emphasizes short-term problem-solving and strict hierarchies, was less effective (Mekonnen & Bayissa, 2023). This approach often led to punitive measures rather than empowerment, fostering resistance among staff. The transformational leadership style, on the other hand, resulted in greater team engagement and a readiness to embrace new strategies, while the transactional style contributed to frustration and hindered collaboration.

Best-Practice Leadership Strategies

To enhance interdisciplinary teamwork, transformational leadership should be incorporated through several key strategies. First, promoting a shared vision is essential. Leaders who effectively articulate a collective vision inspire higher levels of engagement and collaboration among healthcare teams (Liu et al., 2022). Additionally, continuous professional development is vital. Mentorship programs and leadership training are invaluable in empowering nurses to take initiative in team-based care (Shen & Tucker, 2024).

Best-Practice Interdisciplinary Collaboration Strategies

To strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based strategies must be adopted. The implementation of structured communication tools, such as the SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) framework, standardizes communication and reduces the likelihood of errors. Furthermore, interdisciplinary rounds—regular team meetings—ensure alignment of care plans and foster mutual understanding (Samardzic et al., 2020). Additionally, technology-driven collaboration, including the use of integrated EHR systems, facilitates real-time data sharing and minimizes discrepancies (Calduch et al., 2021).

Developing Leadership Style

To further support transformational leadership strategies, there is a pressing need to enhance change management skills. Participating in leadership training programs that focus on conflict resolution and team motivation can refine one’s ability to lead effectively (Shen & Tucker, 2024). Engaging in mentorship opportunities, both as a mentor and mentee, will also help refine leadership approaches. Advocating for team-based decision-making ensures that all voices are heard in patient care discussions.

Conclusion

Reflecting on my interdisciplinary collaboration experience has underscored the critical importance of transformational leadership in healthcare. Nurses have the potential to drive meaningful change and improve patient outcomes by inspiring and empowering team members. By further developing my leadership skills, I will be better equipped to contribute effectively to patient-centered care.

References

Calduch, E., Muscat, N., Krishnamurthy, R. S., & Ortiz, D. (2021). Technological progress in electronic health record system optimization: Systematic review of systematic literature reviews. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 152(1), 104507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104507

Liu, M., Zhang, P., Zhu, Y., & Li, Y. (2022). How and when does visionary leadership promote followers’ taking charge? The roles of inclusion of leader in self and future orientation. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 15(2), 1917–1929. NCBI. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S366939

Mekonnen, M., & Bayissa, Z. (2023). The effect of transformational and transactional leadership styles on organizational readiness for change among health professionals. SAGE Open Nursing, 9(9). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10336755/