D218 Intrapersonal Leadership E-Portfolio Template

D218 Intrapersonal Leadership E-Portfolio Template

Student Name

Western Governors University

D218 Intrapersonal Leadership and Professional Growth

Prof. Name:

Date

Leadership Skills and Mindset Reflection

C. Leadership and Management

C1. Roles of a Leader and a Manager

Question: Explain the differences between the roles of a leader and a manager.

Leaders and managers both play vital roles in healthcare organizations, yet their primary functions differ in focus and execution. Leadership involves inspiring and motivating others toward a shared vision, emphasizing innovation, empowerment, and strategic growth (Northouse, 2022). A leader sets direction, fosters collaboration, and encourages personal and professional development among team members. In contrast, management focuses on the coordination, organization, and oversight of daily operations to ensure efficiency and compliance with policies and procedures (Marquis & Huston, 2021).
In the healthcare setting, leaders prioritize vision and motivation, while managers emphasize maintaining structure, meeting patient safety standards, and supporting communication between patients, families, and staff. Both roles are interdependent, ensuring optimal care delivery and team performance.

C2. Present Leadership and Management Skills

Question: Identify three present leadership skills and three present management skills (i.e., skills you possess).

Currently, I possess several leadership and management competencies that support effective nursing practice. My primary leadership skills include delegation, conflict resolution, and effective communication. These skills enable me to maintain harmony among staff and ensure equitable workload distribution.
In terms of management, I excel in precepting and mentoring new nurses, chart auditing with constructive feedback, and performing charge nurse duties such as staffing and scheduling. These capabilities allow me to support team development while ensuring compliance with organizational standards.

C2a. Leadership and Management Skills Used in Practice

Question: Provide an example of how you use each of the leadership and management skills identified in part C2 in your practice.

In my practice as a charge nurse, delegation is critical. For example, during high patient volume shifts, I assess the care needs of each patient and allocate tasks appropriately. When a nurse was training a new graduate and had no patient assignment, I delegated medication administration support to balance workload across the unit.
For conflict resolution, I address disputes calmly and constructively. Once, when a patient verbally confronted a nurse, I mediated the situation by allowing the patient to express concerns and creating a care plan that satisfied both parties.
Effective communication is essential for ensuring continuity of care. I often explain physicians’ treatment plans to patients and families, ensuring understanding and alleviating anxiety. For instance, when an anxious patient was admitted without family support, I contacted their spouse to explain treatment details, which significantly reduced the patient’s distress.

In management, I precept new nurses by modeling best practices and emphasizing patient safety protocols. I also audit charts to ensure documentation accuracy and provide feedback in a respectful, improvement-oriented manner. Finally, as a charge nurse, I manage staffing challenges—reallocating team members to cover shortages while maintaining safe patient ratios.

C3. Absent Leadership and Management Skills

Question: Identify three absent leadership skills and three absent management skills (i.e., skills you currently lack).

While I continue to grow as a professional, I have identified certain areas that require development. My absent leadership skills include advanced critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability to change. On the management side, I need improvement in time management, budgeting, and administrative support functions. Recognizing these gaps allows me to create intentional strategies for improvement.

C3a. Improvement of Absent Skills

Question: Provide an example of how you can improve upon each of the three absent leadership skills from part C3.

To strengthen my critical thinking, I plan to pursue higher education, such as completing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), to enhance evidence-based decision-making. For adaptability, I will embrace organizational changes with a positive attitude, staying informed about new protocols like updates to fall-risk documentation. To enhance emotional intelligence, I will practice mindfulness, deep breathing, and reflective journaling during stressful situations to manage emotions effectively.
For management skills, improving time management involves setting clear daily priorities and using digital tools for task tracking. Enhancing budgeting will require collaborating with administrative leaders to understand financial management. Lastly, to strengthen administrative support, I will seek mentorship from senior nurse managers to refine organizational and reporting skills.

D. Leadership Mindset and Influence on Professional Practice

Question: Explain the importance of a leadership mindset and how it influences your professional practice.

A leadership mindset encourages proactive thinking, accountability, and self-awareness. By cultivating this mindset, I can make informed, ethical decisions that align with the goals of patient-centered care. It fosters cultural competence, inclusivity, and equity—values essential for effective nursing leadership. This approach allows me to view challenges as opportunities for growth, encouraging adaptability and compassion in daily practice (Goleman, 2020).

D1. Long-term Personal Growth

Question: Discuss how having a leadership mindset supports long-term personal growth, including two examples.

Maintaining a leadership mindset promotes resilience and continuous self-improvement. For instance, prioritizing self-care—through physical activity, sufficient rest, and mindfulness—reduces nurse fatigue and improves emotional balance. Additionally, embracing challenges as learning opportunities allows me to convert setbacks into professional development experiences. Viewing failures as stepping stones enables sustainable personal growth and long-term well-being.

D2. Long-term Professional Growth

Question: Discuss how having a leadership mindset supports long-term professional growth, including two examples.

Professionally, a leadership mindset motivates me to pursue lifelong learning and career advancement. Earning my BSN exemplifies how embracing academic challenges enhances clinical knowledge and leadership potential. Furthermore, acknowledging and celebrating small achievements fosters morale and motivation. Recognizing progress encourages continuous improvement and reinforces a growth-oriented professional identity.

E. Equity and Inclusion

Question: Discuss how you would ensure equity and inclusivity as a leader in a healthcare environment, including two examples.

To promote equity and inclusion, I will facilitate open staff meetings that encourage all voices to be heard, ensuring diverse perspectives inform care decisions. Additionally, I will implement training programs focused on unconscious bias and cultural awareness. Such initiatives empower staff to provide culturally competent and respectful care to all patients, regardless of background or identity.

Ethically Competent Practice

Question: Provide a 3–5 paragraph reflection of the knowledge gained from the “Culturally Competent Nursing Care: A Cornerstone of Caring” certificate program.

Completing the Culturally Competent Nursing Care: A Cornerstone of Caring certification expanded my understanding of cultural humility, health disparities, and social determinants of health. I learned that effective communication must be adapted to reflect each patient’s cultural, linguistic, and emotional needs.

This course emphasized the significance of self-awareness and respect for diverse beliefs, values, and traditions. I now approach care with heightened sensitivity to cultural contexts, promoting trust and improving patient outcomes. The training also highlighted systemic inequities, such as those caused by socioeconomic barriers, racism, and access to resources.

By integrating cultural competence into my professional identity, I can deliver ethical, person-centered care that upholds dignity and respect for all populations. Understanding the interplay between culture, communication, and health allows me to advocate for patients effectively and reduce disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.

References

Goleman, D. (2020). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam.

Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2021). Leadership roles and management functions in nursing: Theory and application (10th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

D218 Intrapersonal Leadership E-Portfolio Template

Northouse, P. G. (2022). Leadership: Theory and practice (9th ed.). Sage Publications.