While explaining the importance of developing leadership skills among

QUESTION

While explaining the importance of developing leadership skills among nurses to a group of first-year nursing students, Natalie, a nursing unit manager, emphasizes that:

a. Most nurses are not expected to assume leadership roles.
b. The role of nurse leadership is only at the bedside, ensuring that patient care is performed according to established standards.
c. Only individuals in formal leadership roles are expected to be leaders.
d. The public depends on nurses to assume leadership in moving consumer advocacy concerns forward.

ANSWER:

ANS: D
The complexity of nursing and the healthcare environment demands that all nurses assume roles of manager, leader, and follower, depending on the situation. Nurses are involved in providing leadership in direct patient care, in leading others at a unit or organizational level, in moving the profession forward, and in participating in legislative and policy arenas. Consumers depend on nursing leadership to carry the healthcare agenda forward.