NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 1

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4005 Nursing Leadership: Focusing on People, Processes, and Organizations

Prof. Name

Date

Collaboration and Leadership Reflection

Transformational leadership plays a significant role in fostering a collaborative healthcare environment. As a nurse, I have observed firsthand how effective leadership can enhance teamwork and improve patient outcomes. In this reflection, I will analyze an interprofessional collaboration experience and compare the impact of effective and ineffective leadership styles on the collaboration process.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration Experience

In my practice, I participated in an interdisciplinary team with the goal of reducing medication errors and improving patient safety through a more structured communication process between nurses, physicians, and pharmacists. During our collaboration, we faced challenges related to ensuring accurate medication reconciliation due to inconsistent Electronic Health Record (EHR) documentation. To address these issues, the nursing team initiated team huddles at the start of each shift to discuss medication orders.

A shared documentation process was developed to ensure real-time updates in the EHR. The open communication and respect among team members fostered a sense of teamwork and shared responsibility. However, there was some resistance to change, especially among team members who were accustomed to traditional workflows. The delays in updating medication orders caused frustration among the nursing staff. A more structured change management approach, with clearer role definitions and additional training on the new documentation process, would have been beneficial.

Effective vs. Ineffective Leadership in Collaboration

Leadership plays a critical role in guiding interdisciplinary teams and promoting collaboration. In this experience, I observed two distinct leadership styles: transformational and transactional. Transformational leadership proved to be highly effective in encouraging open dialogue and focusing on long-term improvements (Mekonnen & Bayissa, 2023). Leaders who adopted this approach facilitated shared decision-making, promoting a collaborative culture. On the other hand, transactional leadership, which focuses on short-term problem-solving and maintaining rigid hierarchies, proved to be less effective. This style often led to punitive measures rather than empowerment, resulting in resistance from staff members. The transformational approach resulted in greater team engagement and a willingness to adopt new strategies, while the transactional approach contributed to frustration and limited collaboration.

Best-Practice Leadership Strategies

To improve interdisciplinary teamwork, transformational leadership should be integrated through several strategies. One key strategy is encouraging a shared vision. Leaders who articulate a shared vision promote higher levels of engagement and collaboration among healthcare teams (Liu et al., 2022). Another important strategy is fostering continuous professional development. Mentorship programs and leadership training can enhance nurses’ ability to take the initiative in team-based care (Shen & Tucker, 2024).

Best-Practice Interdisciplinary Collaboration Strategies

To enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based strategies should be implemented. Using structured communication tools, such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation), can standardize communication and reduce errors. Additionally, regular interdisciplinary rounds or team meetings ensure that care plans are aligned and promote mutual understanding (Samardzic et al., 2020). Technology-driven collaboration, such as the use of integrated EHR systems, also enhances real-time data sharing and minimizes discrepancies (Calduch et al., 2021).

Developing Leadership Style

To support transformational leadership strategies, I recognize the need to enhance my change management skills. One step is to participate in leadership training programs focused on conflict resolution and team motivation (Shen & Tucker, 2024). Additionally, engaging in mentorship opportunities both as a mentor and mentee will allow me to refine my leadership approach. I will advocate for team-based decision-making, ensuring that all voices are heard during patient care discussions.

Conclusion

Reflecting on my interdisciplinary collaboration experience has reinforced the importance of transformational leadership in healthcare. Nurses have the ability to drive meaningful change and improve patient outcomes by inspiring and empowering team members. By further developing my leadership skills, I will be able to contribute more effectively to patient-focused care.

References

Calduch, E., Muscat, N., Krishnamurthy, R. S., & Ortiz, D. (2021). Technological progress in electronic health record system optimization: Systematic review of systematic literature reviews. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 152(1), 104507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104507

Liu, M., Zhang, P., Zhu, Y., & Li, Y. (2022). How and when does visionary leadership promote followers’ taking charge? The roles of inclusion of leader in self and future orientation. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 15(2), 1917–1929. NCBI. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S366939

NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 1

Mekonnen, M., & Bayissa, Z. (2023). The effect of transformational and transactional leadership styles on organizational readiness for change among health professionals. SAGE open nursing, 9(9). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10336755/

Samardzic, M., Doekhie, K. D., & Wijngaarden, J. D. H. (2020). Interventions to improve team effectiveness within health care: A systematic review of the past decade. Human Resources for Health, 18(2), 1–42. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-019-0411-3

Shen, Q., & Tucker, S. (2024). Fostering leadership development and growth of nurse leaders: Experiences from Midwest Nursing Research Society Leadership Academy. Nursing Outlook, 72(6), 102293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2024.102293

Table: Leadership Styles and Strategies in Healthcare Collaboration

Category	Transformational Leadership	Transactional Leadership
Leadership Focus	Long-term improvements, team empowerment	Short-term problem-solving, maintaining hierarchies
Communication Style	Encourages open dialogue and shared decision-making	Emphasizes rigid structures and top-down communication
Impact on Collaboration	Promotes teamwork, engagement, and adaptability	Creates resistance, limits collaboration, and causes frustration
Effectiveness in Healthcare	Highly effective in improving outcomes and team dynamics	Less effective in fostering a collaborative work environment