What it takes to be a 21st Century Nurse?

An Essay on Nurse Leadership and Nurse Management

Nursing as a profession has been challenged through time and changing social
norms. From what was once an intuitive practice, nursing has moved forward to fit the
contemporary age of today’s world. Yet, despite the number of years that has gone by,
caring for the ones in need will remain to be present in nursing.

Nursing in the modern context requires more than just following one’s instinct
when it comes to providing aid for others. For an effective nursing, standard must be
upheld to ensure quality in caring for the sick. This is why nurses require to work both
as educated individuals and initiative members of the health care team. Nurses must
possess both leadership and management qualities to deliver the best possible health
care.

Leadership and management are given different definitions. It is essential for

nurses to understand the meaning of those words when it comes to leading and
managing a health care system. Nurse leaders may not have legitimate authority of
power, but doing things by good example is already an influential step that could spark
inspiration in others. Nurse leaders possess many characteristics, but the quality that
stands out to me the most is emotional intelligence.

This trait among nurses is very important in the clinical settings since staff work closely
with trainees. Stressors arise even during routine challenges which is why nurse
leaders’ assistance to trainees when it comes to managing those challenges can help
prevent emotional exhaustion and conflict within the team.

The benevolent nature of nurse leadership cannot stand on its own. For effective
administration of a healthcare system, the traits of nurse managers must be well-
incorporated as nurses meet goals and objectives for the good of the institution and the
people it encompasses. One of the striking characteristics of a nurse manager is their
ability to maximize available resources, whether those involve the management of
fiscal, personnel, or medical supplies. A lot of planning and decision-making is involved
when one is a nurse manager, and the weight of their responsibility also plays a
significant role in achieving an institution’s goals.

In conclusion, though the definitions of nurse leadership and management are

different. The two can be integrated in everyday function in administrating or running a
portion of the healthcare system. No trait must be greater than the other. Constant
assessment of one’s responsibility within the organization must be done in order to
evaluate their progress and areas of improvement for the expansion of the healthcare
system.