Nursing Theories and Goals for the DNP Program

Leadership Theories in the Nursing Profession
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation
Leadership Theories in the Nursing Profession
Leadership is an inclusive process that focuses on identifying the goals and targets of an organization or a particular process, and integrating all resources towards achieving them. Since the core resource in any particular undertaking is human power, coordination between the various members of staff in a clinical environment is essential towards providing better healthcare services (Amanchukwu & Stanley, 2015). On the other hand, nurses are sometimes forced to employ leadership skills in managing the patients who may not voluntarily participate towards achieving better health. Senior nurses have an obligation of developing other members of staff by applying various theories of leadership, and in turn, create a supportive working environment for everyone (Australian College of Nursing, 2015). The senior nurses are always expected to use leadership skills derived from different methods in encouraging the staff to adopt critical reflection, which is essential for better understanding of operations (Al-Sawai, 2013). Common misunderstandings between various professionals working together at the ward levels towards delivering better services to the patients require independent decision-making skills by the nurses, which are essential for reviewing the relationships between the expertise roles towards achieving a common goal (Roussel, Harris, & Thomas, 2016). The paper analyses various leadership theories and their day to day applications in nursing practice.
Leadership Theories and Applications
Trait Theory of Leadership
The argument is based on the assumption that leaders are born and not made; hence individuals that possess the right qualities and character are suited for leadership. The theory relies on the behaviors and characteristics of many leaders, both successful or unsuccessful, hence providing the capability to predict the effectiveness of leadership. The trait theory emphasizes that leaders have unique innate features that enable them to lead. The attributes include dependability, adaptability, assertiveness and persistence (Cummings & MacGregor, 2012). Successful leaders have been noted to have abilities, personality traits, and interests that are unique compared to the unsuccessful leaders. These traits have been observed to identify not only leaders, but also preconditions which endow individuals with potential for leadership (Al-Sawai, 2013). Since the theory is based on personal traits that are responsible for various leadership skills like creativity, fluency in speaking, persuasiveness, knowledgeable of group activities, diplomacy, and intelligence, I have employed the theory in problem-solving severally. My ability to calm down under enormous pressure enabled me to diplomatically bring together two of my nursing personnel, who were blaming each other for negligence in handling a patient. The calmness allowed me to be composed and fluently deliver my thoughts, thus managing the situation effectively. The theory is significantly aligned to my personal leadership as an executive nursing educator, considering that I can speak fluently, and easily persuade...