Professional Identity and Stewardship

I had the pleasure of interviewing Diane Weeden, she functions as a charge nurse on a medical-surgical floor in a hospital. Although the interview itself consisted of approximately 4 questions, I was able to get a true sense of what her role is in the healthcare field, as well as what leadership and professionalism means to her as a nurse and how it affects her career. Role

D. W.’s role within the hospital includes the responsibility for staffing and assigning beds to patients, and districts to nurses within the unit. If the floor does not have enough staff, or someone is sick and needs to go home, she must get approval from administrators to make the necessary changes. According to D. W., “I am the to go to person for the rest of the staff, if a problem presents I must solve it” (D. Weeden, Personal communication, May 27, 2015). If a situation arises that D.W. cannot handle, she escalates the situation by informing the supervisor. Professionalism

When asked to define professionalism, D. W. felt it meant, “Acting in a manner that displays respect” (D. Weeden, Personal communication, May 27, 2015). This includes, but is not limited to; Avoiding gossip, wearing the appropriate attire, having a neat appearance, and reporting to work prepared and on time. Professional responsibility affects D. W.’s work because she feels staff members look up to her for answers, expect her to be approachable, as well as remain calm in problematic situations. Being professional, “Gets you respect from other professionals, I lead by example, therefore people trust me and value my opinions, this has opened many opportunities for me to advance”, D. W. answered in regards to how professional responsibility affects her career (D. Weeden, Personal communication, May 27, 2015).

Stewards of Healthcare
Stewards of healthcare promote positive environments within the workplace. As per D. W., “ Stewards of healthcare should be easy to approach with any issue” (D. Weeden, Personal communication, May 27, 2015). She feels the leaders at her facility are stewards of healthcare because of the encouragement, guidance, and support that they provide to the staff. Some of the leaders that D. W. works with have even led seminars in the community on different healthcare topics, and also offer discounts on gym memberships and athletic facilities to promote healthy lifestyles to staff members. Professional Advocacy, Authenticity, Power, and Influence

It is important for leaders to exercise professional advocacy, authenticity, power, and influence when working with colleagues (Morale and discipline: The mind of a leader 2, 2012). D.W. feels, that “When a leader portrays these attributes they are more likely to acquire compliance and respect” amongst their staff members (D. Weeden, Personal communication, May 27, 2015). If staff members respect their leaders, the leader will have greater influence over their workers without the need for force or an overuse of power to encourage their team to perform optimally. A leader that exhibits professional advocacy, authenticity, power and influence can help “Steer their workers in the right direction, allowing that employee to recognize their potential and possibly take on new roles they would have never considered”, according to D. W (D. Weeden, Personal communication, May 27, 2015). As you can see professionalism and its responsibilities can affect a nurse, and his or her role in the healthcare field. Leaders that exhibit professionalism gain respect from their staff members, this motivates their team to perform better. D. W. is fortunate to have leaders that are also stewards of healthcare who advocate, support, encourage, and guide their employees by professionally advocating for the staff, and exercising a balance of authenticity, power, and influence.

References

Grand Canyon University (2015). AMP-350V- Lecture 1: Servant Leadership: Defining the focus of leadership. Retrieved from
http://lc-ugrad1.gcu.edu.

Morale and Discipline: The mind of a leader 2 [Video file]. (2012, July 19). Retrieved from http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://digital.films.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/Port alPlaylists.aspx?aid=12129&xtid=48949.

Weeden, Diane. Personal Communication. May 26, 2015.