A nurse leader has a masters or doctorate serving in an upper position than an ordinary registered nurse. Some of the roles for nurse leaders are to oversee quality measures, take on fiscal responsibilities, and implement policy. The position requires knowledge, vision, and experience.
A nurse leader links the staff to the management. The leadership style determines the success of a nurse leader. Below are the leadership styles in nursing that nurse leaders tend to use in their positions.
Autocratic leadership
An autocratic nurse is the one who wants to play the role of a boss. A nurse leader who subscribes to this autocratic leadership style decides about everything. These nurses give particular orders, make particular directions, and do not like questions or dissent by their subordinates. They barely tolerate mistakes and those who commit them.
Advantages: This style functions well when a nurse leader oversees simple tasks. It also serves well when a leader wants to ensure workers strictly adhere to medical or legal guidelines. A strong input is crucial during an emergency, and a nurse leader needs to be autocratic by becoming a strong voice giving directions.
Disadvantages: the leadership style alienates other team members. It ends becoming hard for a nurse leader to build trust and team harmony as everyone wants to be a perfectionist who makes the “boss” happy. It also discourages creativity from solving problems because people always look up to the nurse leader for directions.
Democratic Leadership
A democratic nurse leader encourages open communication to get input from the subordinates. The ultimate decision will be from the leader, but team members can provide and get honest feedback.
Advantages: Democratic leadership style is suitable when a nurse leader likes building relationships with subordinates. The connection will have accountability and a foundation of trust since there is an opportunity for most to give an opinion. The leadership style also works well during the improvement of work systems and processes.
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Disadvantages: It becomes less feasible to become democratic when making a firm decision should be quick. It is time-consuming to collect feedback and test a policy among workers, yet some actions should be fast.
Laissez-Faire Leadership
Laissez-faire is a leadership style by leaders who do not provide any definite directions to their units. It is the opposite of autocratic leadership since a nurse takes a hands-off approach.
Advantages: Laissez-faire suits a nurse leader who supervises an experienced team that does not require frequent guidelines. It knows the right things to do and may not need to get general orders.
Disadvantages: A team will not perform well if some of those who make it up to do not have enough experience to work without directions. The hands-off management will also fail in situations that require making and implementation of specific decisions.
Servant Leadership
The attention of a servant leader is on the contribution that individuals make to uplift the entire group. A nurse leader will target each member’s needs by ensuring they have the tools and skills to attain goals. The leadership style has a meek name but has become extremely popular in recent times.
Disadvantage: Focusing on individuals is not feasible if their roles and responsibilities in a squad are different.
Transformation Leadership
A transformation nurse leader targets bigger achievement and the methods to make an impact. This leadership style that some call visionary improves systems and processes to achieve improved healthcare.
Advantages: Transformation leadership is best to implement when the management needs significant changes and improvements to the workplace.
Disadvantage: it can fail when a nurse leader should make everyday decisions on minute issues that do not require drastic changes.
A good nurse leader adopts the leadership style that helps to achieve results in the situation.
