Reflection on Nursing Practice Leadership: Empowerment, Critical Thinking, and Interprofessional Col

The importance of examining traditional nursing practice in the current climate of accountability and demand for measurable outcomes

In the existing climate of fiscal accountability and demand for measurable outcomes it is important to examine our traditional practice to ensure that they are both cost efficient and that they result in optimal patient outcomes. Leadership plays a pivotal role in nursing and healthcare change (Canadian Nurses Association [CNA], 2002). Nurses in all domains of practice and at different levels are obliged to maximize their leadership potential to ensure best practice. 
Furthermore, nurses have a responsibility to ask questions and not to accept the status quo, in order to initiate efforts to achieve desired changes in healthcare.Practice reflection and leadership are two of the hallmarks of professional nursing that you will continue to develop as you engage in both this course and in your other baccalaureate courses. In this lesson, you are asked to reflect on an area of practice that relates to the topics in the course modules. 
The content here and what is expected to emerge in the discussion forum, are designed to align with more formalized ways we reflect on practice in order to develop deeper self-awareness of our own leadership abilities and to increase our confidence in sharing our leadership experiences and learning with others.
An acceptance of responsibility and accountability for professional practice and development
Empowerment of nurses through leadership qualities and skills in a variety of practice settings 
The leadership skills that positively impact health
Critical thinking in nursing practice, while anticipating and responding to the realities of healthcare delivery
The evidence base for a nursing leadership practice via an exploration of personal experience that is connected to the literature
The role of nurse managers in leadership
Competencies in interprofessional collaboration through understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and scopes of practice of other health care providers

The following is a list of examples of nursing practice leadership experiences that could be selected; these are by no means exclusive. Any topic for the paper that demonstrates your leadership in nursing practice is acceptable. Note that a leadership perspective is required.
A. Implementation of shared governance. An example of an interesting paper would be your participation in a Nursing Council at your place of work and you trying to facilitate change. Helping staff nurses and/or yourself develop the skill, knowledge, and characteristics to be involved in participatory management (a leadership perspective is required).
B. Examination of the health beliefs and practices of one cultural group different from your own to which you have access. You would work with that particular group and you compare values related to health-illness caring beliefs and practices, identifying with clients’ situations requiring improvement, and develop and implement a plan for change. 
C. Planning, implementation and evaluation of a continuing education program/project.You have taken the initiative to plan, implement, and evaluate a continuing education program/project for a group of nurses, clients, or individuals interested in health promotion, disease prevention, or those seeking to improve their understanding of existing pathology, based on their self-identified learning needs.
D. Identification whether nurses should be appointed to hospital and other health-related boards in a jurisdiction. You have been part of a project/study to determine whether or not nurses should be appointed to hospital and other health-related boards in your jurisdiction. You have developed a plan and implemented strategies to follow up on findings. What were some of the successes and challenges of the project/study?