Business Leaders for Tomorrow

Leadership does not necessarily entail a specifically carved out position, but does entail a willingness among workers to step up and fulfill needs or empower others workers to perform better. In the healthcare sector, there are many obstacles that leaders, especially nursing leaders, face, including strained resources, larger workloads, and higher patient acuity. These obstacles tend to lead to job dissatisfaction and poor performance among nurses, as well as apathy. Nurses interested in becoming leaders must recognize their fears and apathy and recommit themselves to caring and transformation of the healthcare environment. These individuals must learn to overcome their fears and speak up about care recommendations and become a "care innovator."

Lessons learned from care mistakes or other situations should be shared with other nurses and caregivers to create an internal and informal mentorship with colleagues. Nurses also should voice their concerns and suggestions through one-on-one conversations, multidisciplinary rounds, and committee meetings, though conversations must remain professional in manner and tone. Building these relationships can empower others in the facility to offer suggestions, recommendations, and innovations that improve care quality. Experts also recommend that nurses become involved in professional organizations as well as the policymaking process at healthcare facilities because those policies determine how resources and what resources are allocated.