Emotional Intelligence in Nursing Work - Click to Sample Solution

Question: How your current leadership qualities and self-assessment results apply to your professional nursing context? Answer: Any dynamic profession needs good and confident leaders at every level. In the healthcare industry nursing is a profession that needs good leadership skills at early level of the profession. They have a direct managerial responsibility, thus there are many leadership competencies and skills that combine and apply to make an effective leader. In my case my quiz score of 72 showed that I am on my way to becoming a good leader but no leader is too experienced. Therefore there are some areas that I have to improve which will also improve my performance. Self confidence is very essential for a nurses leadership skills as we have to approach patients with a competent and confident attitude. Through the quiz I was able to learn that I possess a fair amount of positive attitude and self confidence. Confidence is required in a nurse so that they can inspire others around them. Being self confident helps me to be communicative with my patients and team members. I am more prepared to listen to patients and the instructions that the physicians give me each day. I also notice the non verbal cues that a person is not speaking about. In the Journal Nursing Leadership by Betty Frandsen it is mentioned how leadership can be developed by being self confident(Frandsen, 2014). It is crucial to have a positive outlook and to be optimistic. H aving a positive mindset is another quality that I possess as it helps me to develop a strong sense of balance and to recognize the problems that may happen. It also helps me to deal with any setbacks that come in my way. I am able to approach the challenges that I face in a realistic way and therefore I am more prepared to deal with the changes that are necessary to overcome that challenge. According to the Journal What the emerging workforce wants in its leaders a patients safety is dependent on the increased awareness of the nurses. A negative attitude gives rise to lack of information which can be fatal for a patient(KA, 2002). If a nurse has a negative attitude they will increase the stress in a stressful situation which will lead to anger, failure and distress. In a hospital all of these issues can lead to mishaps in patient safety which will add to legal costs in liability insurance cost. Journal of Advanced Nursing Emotional intelligence in nursing work states that emotional intelligence is a ability of a person to manage, perceive and assess his own emotions and even others emotions(C.H.McQueen, 2004). Through the quiz I came to know that I have to improve my emotional intelligence quotient as in my profession as nurse I have to deal with patients and many professionals from medical fraternity. This interaction is not just conversation but it involves the understanding and perception of the individual emotions(Stickley, 2004). In todays medical care giving quality care is not the only goal but to respect and understand patients preferences, goals and choices is equally important. The general concern for the patients is necessary to develop empathy. Empathy is essential for emotional intelligence as we as nurses have to deal with patients as well as our emotions. Strong leadership skills also involve creating a strong and compelling vision for the future(Elisabeth, 2 007). I was able to learn through the quiz that I possess good visionary skills that will inspire people around me. It is essential in today nursing practice that nurses posses a vision that supports the organisational directives and their personal standards. For me a robust and compelling vision for the future would be creating relationships, value and oppurtunities for the organisation. I would implement mentor training programs that can help new graduates. As a leader I have to identify the qualities that can help and improve the organisation performance. It is essential that the leader possesses qualities that help him to encourage professional and personal growth for its employees. In nursing being a role and leading others by your example is very effective as it gives others the chance to act. Physicians and nurses need to have a promoting collaborative practice as it ensures new oppurtunities for them. According to the journal Interpers Care collaboration between multidiscipl inary teams enhances patient outcomes (Freeman M, 2000). Leaders should identify their weaknesses and use their skills to develop competency. Expectation and leadership skills are needed for the nurses as healthcare services have to constantly adapt to the changing policies and trends. They should have professionals that can lead them to deliver and organize quality care in this changing and challenging environment. Reference C.H.McQueen, A. (2004). Emotional intelligence in nursing work. Journal of Advanced Nursing , 101-108. Elisabeth, K. A. (2007). Emotional intelligence: a review of the literature with specific focus on empirical and epistemological perspectives . Journal of Clinical Nursing , 1405-1416. Frandsen, B. (2014). Nursing Leadership. Management and Leadership styles , 89. Freeman M, M. C. (2000). The impact of individual philosophies of teamwork on multi-professional practice and the implications for education. J Interpers Care , 237247. KA, M. (2002). Nursing manager leadership skills . J Nurs Adm , 136-142. Stickley, D. F. (2004). The Heart Of The Art: Emotional Intelligence In Nurse Education . Nursing Inquiry , 91-98.