In Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing, Marquis and Huston discuss the opportunities—nay, the imperative—for a nurse to advocate on behalf of him- or herself, others, and the environment. No doubt, at some point in your career, you will encounter an ethical or moral dilemma that requires you to take a stand and defend your position.
For this Assignment, you evaluate an issue and consider how you could act as a moral agent or advocate, facilitating the resolution of the issue for a positive outcome.
To prepare:
• Consider the examples of leadership demonstrated in this week’s media presentation and the other Learning Resources. Chiarella, M., & McInnes, E. (2008). Legality, morality and reality – The role of the nurse in maintaining standards of care. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 26(1), 77–83.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Chiarella and McInnes explore the effects of legal and ethical frameworks in nursing. The purpose for exploring these effects is to determine the power structure and assumptions that are currently used in nursing.
• Olson, D. A. (2009). Are great leaders born, or are they made? Frontiers of Health Services Management, 26(2), 27–30.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
In his article, Olson asks if leadership is a personal journey or a process for change. To answer his question, he focuses on the hospital administration of the Bay Area Medical Center (BAMC) and notes what BAMC did to address their then-recent vote of “no confidence.”
• Perrotto, A., & Grossman, M. B. (2010). Ten ways to the top. Nursing Management, 41(4), 28–32.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
In their article, Perrotto and Grossman focus on middle managers in nursing and how they can be more effective leaders. Some of their techniques include creating an informal following based on their skills and entering education.
• Schaffner, J. (2009). Roadmap for success: The 10-step nursing strategic plan. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 39(4), 152–155.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Mentally survey your work environment, or one with which you are familiar, and identify a timely issue that requires you to perform the role of moral agent or advocate to improve a situation the need for appropriate staffing.
• What are the potential outcomes if you do not execute that role?
• What skills, dispositions, and/or strategies would help you to fulfill this role?
• Finally, consider the values and principles that guide the nursing profession; the organization’s mission, vision, and values; the leadership and management competencies addressed in this course; and your own values and reasons for entering the profession. What motivation do you see for taking a stand on an important issue even when it is difficult to do so?
To complete:
Write a 3- to 4-page paper that addresses the following:
• Describe your role as a moral agent or advocate for a specific issue in your work environment or an organization with which you are familiar.
• Explain one or more negative outcomes that may result if this role is not fulfilled.
• Analyze the skills, dispositions, and/or strategies that would help you to fulfill this role.
• Explain your motivation for taking a stand even when it is difficult to do so