NR 504 Week 3 Reflective Essay

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR 504 Leadership and Nursing Practice: Role Development

Prof. Name:

Date

Reflective Essay on Leadership Competencies

Introduction

Leadership competencies encompass the knowledge, skills, and philosophies that enable individuals to manage themselves, their peers, and organizations effectively to achieve personal and professional goals (Alexander & Lopez, 2018). In addition to technical skills, leadership involves ethical values and behaviors that shape a leader into a compassionate, approachable, and authentic individual. My leadership development has been influenced by self-assessment and theoretical frameworks such as the SHRM Competency Model and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), which contribute to transforming personal traits into leadership qualities (Perlman et al., 2019). This reflective essay explores the significance of leadership competencies, evaluates my current competencies, identifies areas for improvement, and discusses how these competencies will influence my future role as a Nurse Practitioner in an MSN program.

Leadership Competencies

Knowledge Competencies

My leadership philosophy is rooted in democratic and inclusive practices, emphasizing the importance of valuing diverse opinions, roles, and expertise. Initially, I associated leadership with an autocratic style, but through experience, I have realized that my approach aligns more with democratic leadership (Aria, Jafari, & Behifar, 2019). Knowledge competencies involve acquiring and applying information, understanding different perspectives, maintaining self-awareness, and utilizing learned concepts to navigate current trends and challenges (Carter, 2018). I believe my ability to analyze and apply new knowledge through continuous learning and research reflects a strong foundation in leadership.

Skills Competencies

Leadership skills are broadly categorized into cognitive and physical abilities. Cognitive skills focus on knowledge application, decision-making, and process monitoring (Below, 2018; Matarese et al., 2018). I have developed strong decision-making skills through research projects and practical experiences in healthcare settings. Engaging in critical discussions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, has allowed me to refine essential leadership skills such as active listening, problem identification, risk assessment, and effective communication. Additionally, my physical competencies, including precision, coordination, and efficiency, play a crucial role in my leadership effectiveness (Carter, 2018).

Attitude Competencies

Attitude competencies significantly influence leadership effectiveness, as they shape one’s ability to engage with others through empathy, motivation, and appreciation (Carter, 2018). My leadership philosophy emphasizes inclusivity and understanding, which aligns with nursing leadership’s emphasis on patient-centered care. I recognize that maintaining a professional and adaptable attitude is critical, as it directly impacts communication, teamwork, and relationship-building (Below, 2018). In my practice, I strive to remain flexible and open-minded, as these attributes enable me to manage diverse situations and work effectively with various individuals.

Key Leadership Competencies and Growth Opportunities

Among my primary leadership competencies are effective time and workload management and professional communication. These skills have been essential in organizing tasks and leading teams efficiently. However, I recognize the need to improve my administrative and supervisory competencies, as these are essential for managing teams and evaluating performance (Carter, 2018). Strengthening these areas will enhance my leadership effectiveness, allowing me to support and guide my peers more effectively.

MSN Track and Leadership Competencies Impact

As an MSN nurse practitioner, I intend to integrate leadership competencies to deliver high-quality, patient-centered, and evidence-based care. Leadership skills are crucial in addressing the complexities of healthcare, as demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, where leaders were responsible for motivating peers, managing resources, and coordinating crisis responses. Similarly, leadership is critical in infection prevention, requiring collaboration and evidence-based decision-making (Loveday, 2019). These examples highlight the importance of leadership competencies in my future MSN role, emphasizing the need for strong communication, decision-making, and adaptability in providing effective healthcare solutions.

Conclusion

Leadership competencies play a vital role in nursing, enabling professionals to manage themselves, their teams, and their organizations effectively. Developing knowledge, skills, and attitude competencies allows leaders to navigate complex challenges and ensure high-quality patient care. As I advance in my MSN program, these competencies will be instrumental in shaping my ability to address healthcare issues, foster collaboration, and lead with confidence and compassion.

Table Representation of Leadership Competencies

Competency Category	Description	Personal Application & Growth Opportunities
Knowledge Competencies	Involves acquiring, processing, and applying information to make informed decisions (Carter, 2018).	My leadership philosophy is rooted in democratic values, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives and continuous learning. I aim to further enhance my self-awareness and adaptability.
Skills Competencies	Includes cognitive and physical abilities such as decision-making, problem-solving, and communication (Matarese et al., 2018).	I have developed strong decision-making skills through healthcare practice, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis. My focus is on refining my administrative and supervisory skills.
Attitude Competencies	Reflects one’s ability to engage with others through empathy, motivation, and appreciation (Below, 2018).	I emphasize inclusivity and adaptability in leadership, recognizing that a professional attitude influences relationships and teamwork. I aim to further develop resilience and conflict resolution skills.

References

Alexander, C., & Lopez, R. (2018). A thematic analysis of self-described authentic leadership behaviors among experienced nurse executives. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 48(1), 38-43. https://doi.org/10.1097/nna.0000000000000568

Aria, A., Jafari, P., & Behifar, M. (2019). Authentic leadership and teachers’ intention to stay: The mediating role of perceived organizational support and psychological capital. World Journal of Education, 9(3), 67. https://doi.org/10.5430/wje.v9n3p67

Below, M. (2018). The influence of nursing leadership roles on self-care. ProQuest.

Carter, K. (2018). Promoting self-concept and leadership competencies among frontline nursing staff. Nursing Management (Springhouse), 49(9), 7. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.numa.0000538922.91277.c8

Loveday, H. (2019). Future nurse: Pre-registration nurse education – Are you involved? Journal of Infection Prevention, 20(4), 160-161. https://doi.org/10.1177/1757177419863468