NURS 406- Creative Implementation

NURS 406- Creative Implementation

Jessica Listman-Ward
Frostburg State University

NURS 406- Creative Implementation

NURS 406 Creative Implementation

Nursing like many other professions utilizes policies and procedures. These are the
standards in which we practice safe nursing. In order to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
one must learn about the standards and practice them. The Essentials for Baccalaureate
Education for Professional Nursing Practice is one of the ways a nursing student uses the
guidelines. Each course that is taken teaches some portion on the guidelines to the student.
Throughout the courses students learn about the guidelines and practice them in their
coursework.
Creative Implementation
During this course we had the opportunity to explore how we could become better
leaders. We learned the importance of networking by choosing a mentor and having weekly
discussions with them. The discussion topics varied from week to week. They began with a
simple introduction and ended with how they deal with disasters and retirement. I found the
assignment to be quite rewarding. I was able to make a good contact that I can use in the
future. My mentors leadership abilities inspired me to become a better leader. She constantly
preaches the importance of seeking additional education. I always knew that I wanted to
advance my career as a nurse, and her passion for showing others the importance of advancing
your education has challenged me to do so. I want to make my dreams come true and show
her that I can reach my full potential.
Using what we learned from our mentors, we were then asked to create a project that
reflected what we learned and how we are as leaders. This assignment could be presented in
various forms. It allowed us to be creative and show our unique personalities and leadership
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NURS 406- Creative Implementation

styles. I chose to create a PowerPoint presentation. Since I am not in a leadership role at the
hospital I work at, I created a fictitious facility. I thought about what I would like as an
employee and used those ideas for employee retention. Throughout the assignment I thought
about what my mentor said during our talks and the positive things that I took from the
conversations. I thought about the leader that I am now and what I would like to do with my
career. Throughout the presentation I blended my ideas as a leader with my dreams as a nurse.
Reflection
The course and its assignments met the standards created by the American Association
of College of Nursing. According to the standard, leadership skills are needed that emphasized
ethical and critical decision making, initiating and maintaining effective working relationships,
using mutually respectful communication and collaboration within interprofessional teams
(American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008, p. 13). This course definitely emphasized
the importance of knowing ones leadership styles. As nurses we cant ensure patient safety if
we dont know how to advocate and act as leaders. The standards want us to be able to
identify ourselves as leaders and be able to promote safety and high quality care for patients.
We need to have good communication and team skills to be a good leader (American
Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2008, p. 14). Good leaders have the ability to work well with
a team and communicate with others. The discussions with our mentors helped to illustrate
how importance teamwork and good communication.

NURS 406- Creative Implementation

References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2008). The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education
for Professional Nursing Practice. Washington, DC: American Association of Colleges of
Nursing.