My perception of the role of nursing in the healthcare system has significantly changed ever since my enrolment in the nursing program. My previous perception of nurses was that their work is limited to following the doctor's orders, medication administration, and taking vital signs. However, the clinical setting showed me that the nursing role is much greater than I could ever imagine. A nurse is not only involved in the patient's care they are also engaged in communicating with patients' families, healthcare team, and colleagues. Hence, the nurse is responsible for knowing her patient and stepping in as a team leader in a critical situation. According to CNO, "each nurse shows leadership by providing, facilitating, and promoting the best possible care to the public" (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2006). When the leader knows most information related to the situation, they are able to develop a plan easily followed by all the parties involved. Similarly, since nurses know most about the condition of the patient, they are able to become a leader for their team in order to provide the best care for the patient. The nurse's sense of responsibility brings out leadership skills which can help in resolving conflicts and organizing better care for the patient. However, in order for the team to believe that the nurse is able to be an effective leader, they should demonstrate qualities such as good communication skills, outstanding nursing knowledge, and professionalism.
Although I have never had very good communication skills, the nursing program has given me the opportunity to challenge and develop these skills in clinical settings. My recent clinical experience has proved to me that I am able to demonstrate leadership qualities. In this experience, I was sent by a nurse to answer a call bell for her patient and found that the patient's (with a COPD condition) oxygen tube had been disconnected. The patient's daughter had been in distress about her mother's state of health. During the physical assessment, the patient had not looked cyanotic or lethargic. However, I decided to check her vital signs; the results were within normal range. I then decided to ask the patient questions, which would aid me in gathering of information to the accident. However, since there was a language barrier between the patient and I, I was able to collaborate with the patient's daughter in that she would translate what the patient was saying. In doing so, I was able to build a nurse-client relationship as well as give emotional support to both the patient and the daughter. I was able to take control of the situation by putting the patient's daughter at ease, as she had been experiencing a great amount of distress. In communication, it is very important to understand facial expressions and body language because they reveal the person's emotions (Jadhav, T. , & Gupta, S. K). This interpretation of emotions through physical attributes can help a leader understand...
