chapter 1 | Leadership and Followership 11school only prepares you to continue learning
throughout your career. As new and better ways
to care for clients are discovered, it is your
responsibility as a professional to critically
analyze these new approaches and decide
whether they would be better for your clients
than current approaches to care. Effective lead-
ers not only continue to learn but also encour-
age others to do the same. Sometimes, leaders
function as teachers. At other times, their role
is primarily to encourage and guide others
to seek more knowledge. Observant, reflective,
analytical practitioners know that learning
takes place every day if people are open to it
(Kagan, 1999).
Conclusion
Leadership ability determines a person’s level of
effectiveness. To be an effective nurse, you must be an
effective leader. Your patients, your peers, and your
organization are depending on you to influence oth-
ers. Leadership develops daily. True leaders never
stop learning and growing. John Maxwell (1998), one
of America’s experts on leadership, states “who we are
is who we attract” (p. xi). To attract leaders, people
need to start leading and never stop learning to lead.
The key elements of leadership and followership
have been discussed in this chapter. Many of the
leadership qualities and behaviors mentioned here
are discussed in more detail in later chapters.Study Questions1.Why is it important for nurses to be good leaders? What qualities have you observed from nurses
on the units that exemplify effective leadership in action? How do you think these behaviors might
have improved the outcomes of their patients?
2.Why are effective followers as important as effective leaders?- Review the various leadership theories discussed in the chapter. Which ones might apply to leading
in today’s health-care environment? Support your answer with specific examples.
4.Select an individual whose leadership skills you particularly admire. What are some qualities and
behaviors that this individual displays? How do these relate to the leadership theories discussed in
this chapter? In what ways could you emulate this person?
5.As a new graduate, what leadership and followership skills will you work on developing or enhanc-
ing during the first 3 months of your first nursing position? Why?
Case Study to Promote Critical ReasoningTwo new associate-degree graduates were hired for the pediatric unit. Both worked three 12-hour
shifts a week, Jan in the day-to-evening shift and Ronnie at night. Whenever their shifts connected,
they would compare notes on their experience. Jan felt she was learning rapidly, gaining clinical
skills and beginning to feel at ease with her colleagues.
Ronnie, however, still felt unsure of herself and often isolated. “There have been times,” she told
Jan, “that I am the only registered nurse on the unit all night. The aides and LPNs are really expe-
rienced, but that’s not enough. I wish I could work with an experienced nurse as you are doing.”
“Ronnie, you are not even finished with your 3-month orientation program,” said Jan. “You
should never be left alone with all these sick children. Neither of us is ready for that kind of
responsibility. And how will you get the experience you need with no experienced nurses to help
you? You must speak to our nurse manager about this.”
“I know I should, but she’s so hard to reach. I’ve called several times, and she’s never available.
She leaves all the shift assignments to her assistant. I’m not sure she even reviews the schedule
before it’s posted.”