Professional identity and stewardship – part ii: leadership interview

In my role as a nursing assistant at a long-term facility I conducted an interview with the Director of Nursing, my immediate supervisor. In response to my question about her role in the healthcare team, she stressed the importance for collaboration and communication between the members of the multidisciplinary team. This is important because it ensures the best care can be provided to residents. She discussed how she is responsible for ensuring that her facility operates according to state and federal laws and regulations, and that every staff member has the proper training and competence in their role.

She defined professionalism as showing integrity, respect and commitment to providing high-quality healthcare. She highlighted the importance and necessity of professional responsibility for healthcare professionals, and how they must prioritize the safety of residents and their well-being above any personal or professional interest.

Regarding stewardship of healthcare, she explained that she sees herself and her team as stewards of the facility’s resources and residents’ well-being. She stressed that it is important to strike a balance between the financial aspect of the facility and the moral responsibility to deliver quality care to residents and to create an environment where they feel comfortable.

She emphasized the importance of transparency, fairness, and open communication in the decision-making process, and the collaboration between colleagues. She thinks that leaders must be approachable and authentic, but also have the authority to make decisions when needed.

Comparing my supervisor’s responses to those of my peer, who is a registered nurse working in a hospital, there were some similarities and differences. They both stressed the importance of professionalism, ethical responsibility and the necessity for communication and collaboration within the healthcare teams. However, my supervisor’s focus on regulatory compliance and business management reflected the unique challenges of long-term care, while my peer’s responses were more focused on clinical care and patient advocacy.

Overall, my impression of my supervisor’s responses was that she is a knowledgeable and dedicated leader who takes her responsibilities seriously and is committed to providing the best possible care for residents. It was encouraging and comforting to see her emphasize collaboration and communication as well as commitments to compliance with regulations and ethics.

My interview with my manager provided me valuable insight into leadership and the professional identity of long-term healthcare professionals. Although there were differences between the focus of my supervisor and that of my colleague, they both stressed professionalism, ethical responsibility, and collaboration in their work. They serve as a good reminder that leaders in healthcare are crucial to ensuring quality care for patients and a healthy work environment.

References:

American Nurses Association (2015). Interpretive Statements for the Code of Ethics for Nurses. Silver Spring, MD : American Nurses Association.

Jensen, S. (2015). Nursing health assessment: A Best Practice Approach. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.