NR582 Week 2 Leadership Self-Assessment Assignment

NR582 Week 2 Leadership Self-Assessment Assignment – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NR582 Week 2 Leadership Self-Assessment Assignment is to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the paper’s audience and purpose, as this will help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, review its use, including writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review the formatting requirements for the title page and headings in the paper, as outlined by Chamberlain University.

How to Research and Prepare for NR582 Week 2 Leadership Self-Assessment Assignment

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify a list of keywords related to your topic using various combinations. The first step is to visit the Chamberlain University library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from the Chamberlain University Library, PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last 5 years and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, such as APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next, create a detailed outline of the paper to help you develop headings and subheadings for the content. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NR582 Week 2 Leadership Self-Assessment Assignment

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part, as it helps provide the context of your work and determines whether the reader will be interested in reading through to the end. Begin with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NR582 Week 2 Leadership Self-Assessment Assignment

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence collected from the research, and ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance, as well as how it relates to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between paragraphs by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NR582 Week 2 Leadership Self-Assessment Assignment

In-text citations help readers give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their work. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

“The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Morelli et al. (2024), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Alawiye (2024) highlights that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.”

How to Write the Conclusion for NR582 Week 2 Leadership Self-Assessment Assignment

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restating your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. Conclude with a call to action that leaves a lasting impression on the reader or offers recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NR582 Week 2 Leadership Self-Assessment Assignment

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically, and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Morelli, S., Daniele, C., D’Avenio, G., Grigioni, M., & Giansanti, D. (2024). Optimizing telehealth: Leveraging Key Performance Indicators for enhanced telehealth and digital healthcare outcomes (Telemechron Study). Healthcare, 12(13), 1319. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131319

Alawiye, T. (2024). The impact of digital technology on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks, 13, 13-22. 10.4236/etsn.2024.132002.

NR582 Week 2 Leadership Self-Assessment Assignment Instructions

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to provide an opportunity for students to analyze personal leadership experiences, skills, styles, and competencies and to identify strategies for improving leadership competency. This assignment supports the professional formation of the advanced nursing role. Have a look at NR582 Week 3 Discussion – Conflict Resolution.

Hello everyone, my name is Ayana Walls. I have been a nurse for 14 years and my specialty is psych and behavioral health. I have always enjoyed working in this field. I was a corrections officer for 16 years and have seen the significant rise with individuals in this population suffering from mental illness. I hope to use my experience and knowledge that I have obtained to help increase awareness of the need for mental health services not just for individuals that are incarcerated but also in the community as well.

Course Outcomes

Through this assignment, the student will address the following Course Outcomes:

  • CO 1: Examine leadership competencies and underpinnings essential for advanced nursing practice. (POs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  • CO 2: Evaluate factors that influence healthcare delivery across diverse settings. (POs 1, 5)
  • CO 5: Develop professional competencies to lead in diverse healthcare settings. (POs 2, 3, 4, 5)

Due Date

Students must complete the Week 2 assignment and submit it to the dropbox by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. MT.   

Students are expected to submit assignments by the time they are due. Assignments submitted after the due date and time will receive a deduction of 10% of the total points possible for that assignment for each day the assignment is late. Assignments will be accepted, with penalty as described, up to a maximum of three days late. After that point, a zero will be recorded for the assignment.  

Total Points Possible: 175

Preparing the Assignment

Follow these guidelines when completing each component of the assignment. Contact your course faculty if you have questions.  

General instructions

  1. Download the Week 2 Leadership Self-Assessment template. Use of the template is required. If the template is not used, a 10% deduction will be applied. See the rubric. Save the template and include your name in the file name.  
  2. Write 2-4 total pages (excluding title and reference pages).    
  3. Correctly cite and reference ideas and information that come from scholarly sources of information. 
  4. Follow rules for grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation consistent with formal, scholarly writing.  
  5. Abide by Chamberlain University’s academic integrity policy.  

Reflect on your leadership experience, philosophy, and self-leadership skills and include the following sections (detailed criteria listed below and in the grading rubric):   

Include the following sections (detailed criteria listed below and in the grading rubric):   

  1. Introduction
    1. Include at least three general statements about the value and importance of the master’s prepared nurse as a leader. 
    2. Identify the purpose of the paper.   
  2. Personal Leadership Experience
    1. Describe your personal experience serving in formal and/or informal leadership roles. 
    2. How effective do you feel you are as a leader? Provide a rationale for your self-assessment. 
    3. How comfortable are you serving in leadership roles?  Provide a rationale for your self-assessment. 
  3. Leadership Style
    1. Describe the leadership style that aligns best with your philosophy and preferences. Provide a rationale for why the leadership style was selected.  
    2. Describe the leadership style(s) that best suit your future practice as a master’s prepared nurse.  
    3. Provide support from at least one scholarly source.  
  4. Leadership Competencies: Review the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Nurse Leader Core Competencies.
    1. Describe the value and importance of the AONL Nurse Leader Core Competencies and how these competencies are relevant to your future practice as a master’s prepared nurse.  
    2. Describe two AONL competency areas you believe to be personal strengths. Provide a rationale for your self-assessment. 
    3. Describe two AONL competency areas in which you have growth opportunities. Provide a rationale for your self-assessment. 
    4. Provide support from at least one scholarly source. The source may be the AONL Nurse Leader Core Competencies.   
  5. Strategies
    1. Discuss three evidence-based strategies to help you achieve the AONL competencies identified as opportunities for growth.  
    2. Provide support from at least one scholarly source for each strategy. 
  6. Conclusion
    1. Provide a conclusion. 
    2. Include a summary of what you discussed in the paper. 

NR582 Week 2 Leadership Self-Assessment Assignment Example

Leadership Self-Assessment

Master’s prepared nurses are advanced practice nurses with advanced knowledge, skills, and competencies in nursing areas such as leadership, education, research, and practice. These nurses often occupy leadership positions, from team leaders, charge nurses, and unit matrons to nurse managers. Master’s prepared nurses have a wider scope of practice and access to more advanced roles than registered nurses with bachelor’s degrees and diplomas. These positions require incorporating leadership and management principles into the nursing science to ensure the smooth running of activities and collaboration with other professionals. This paper discusses personal leadership experiences, leadership styles, skills, and competencies and identifies leadership competency improvement strategies.

Personal Leadership Experience

Reflecting on experiences helps determine growth and identify strengths and areas for improvement. I have participated in both formal and informal leadership roles. From my experience in various roles, leadership is a complex aspect of nursing, requiring knowledge and skills in dealing with people and policy adherence. It requires one to mold the behavior they require in others. In addition, it requires one to lead from the front and avoid the boss approach. In my experience, leadership is not just giving orders but entails influencing people to achieve the desired tasks.

I feel competent and adequate as a leader. However, there is still room for improvement. I understand the basic principles of leadership and their application, but I need to improve my social skills, which are vital to leadership. I need to improve skills such as emotional intelligence and empathy to help accommodate human error within the confines of institutional policy and the law. I am confident in serving in leadership roles, given my success in past roles and continued learning and leadership skills development over the years.

Leadership Style

The transformational leadership style best aligns with my philosophy and preferences. I believe leaders are required to enhance their employees’ growth and ensure the achievement of desired organizational goals (Ferreira et al., 2020). The nursing profession demands continuous learning and development for nurses, and the leadership style supports professional growth and development, hence its selection. Situational leadership style best suits my future practice as a master’s prepared nurse. The style focuses on adaptability, relying on adjustment to organizational and team needs to ensure effective leadership, as Richard (2023) notes.

Leadership in nursing entails various roles, including guiding, disciplining, and collaborating. Various situations require various interventions, and situational leadership style helps the leader adapt to the situation to ensure effective leadership. For example, telling/directing is utilized with inexperienced or unmotivated members, coaching is used on willing and less competent/ confident staff, participating/supporting is used with capable but non-committed staff while deleting/observing is used when staff is capable, committed, and enthusiastic (Richards, 2023). Thus, situational leadership will be the most appropriate for my future practice as a master’s prepared nurse.

Leadership Competencies

The AONL Nurse Leader Core Competencies define effective leaders at various levels. They outline the knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of leaders at various levels. Thus, they act as a framework for development and evaluation tools for leaders to determine their effectiveness in leadership (AONL, n.d.). These competencies accommodate the breadth and depth of nursing leadership across care settings and leadership roles. These core competencies are crucial to my future practice as a master’ s-prepared nurse because they will define my effectiveness as a nurse leader. The competencies will provide an assessment and evaluation framework to determine my leadership effectiveness and support improvement, as Morse and Warshawsky (2021) support. They will also guide practice and decision-making in various areas of nursing practice.

Strength Competency One

One AONL competency I believe to be a personal strength is knowledge of the healthcare environment. I am an experienced nurse, having worked for over 14 years, amassing valuable clinical practice knowledge and skills in various areas. I am familiar with various policies and technologies and participate in continuous professional development. Thus, I believe competence is a personal strength.

Strength Competency Two

Another AONL competence I believe is a personal strength is communication and relationship management. Over the last 25 years, I have worked in various fields, nursing, and non-nursing, with diverse groups and in various leadership positions. I communicate concisely and clearly, practice active listening, and resolve conflicts amicably. I can also work effectively with diverse groups, influence staff behaviors, and engage in interprofessional communication and collaboration.

Growth Competency One

One AONL competency growth opportunity is professionalism. This competency outlines the ethical and professional behavior expected of nurse leaders. The professional code of conduct guides the nursing profession’s conduct, and my practice and behavior are embedded in it. However, I require more leadership skills in areas such as role modeling, advocacy and nursing profession representation, and professional ethics in nursing leadership.

Growth Competency Two

Business skills and principles are another AONL competency that presents an opportunity for growth. The competence emphasizes integrating business concepts, financial management, and strategic planning into healthcare and requires experience in nursing leadership. I have a basic understanding of financial management in healthcare, but more skills are required in strategic management, healthcare economics, human resource management, and organizational sustainability.

Strategies

Various evidence-based strategies can be used to improve the competencies improvement identified above.

Strategy One

Participating in mentorship or coaching programs can help improve the competencies. According to Grocutt et al. (2022), mentorship contributes to leadership development by enhancing confidence, practice, and ethical decision-making in complex environments. A structured mentorship program with an experienced leader can thus help develop competencies and improve the competencies identified.

Strategy Two

Another evidence-based strategy to help achieve the AONL competencies identified as opportunities for growth is participating in continuing education and certification programs. These include Certified Executive Nursing Practice programs and leadership seminars and workshops. Tran and Nghia (2020) note that continuing education programs provide the knowledge to improve decision-making and lead to better leadership skills. Continuing education also helps stay abreast with dynamics in nursing leadership for optimal leadership performance.

Strategy Three

Another strategy that can be used is shadowing and immersive leadership experiences. This strategy entails following a nurse leader, observing their leadership roles, and utilizing the insights to improve one’s skills. According to Raso and O’Neil (2023), shadowing and immersive leadership experiences offer real-time exposure to the challenges and complexities of leadership, fostering practical skills in applying various leadership principles. The strategy can be used alongside other strategies, such as mentorship, and can help improve AONL competencies identified as opportunities for growth.

Conclusion

Leadership self-assessment is crucial as it allows one to determine their leadership effectiveness and improvement opportunities. The assessment helped determine my strengths and areas for improvement. My strengths include communication and relationship management and knowledge of the healthcare environment. Growth opportunities include professionalism and business skills and principles. The strategies identified, mentorship and coaching programs, continued education experiences programs, and shadowing and immersive experiences, will help improve my AONL leadership competencies.

References

Richards, A. (2024). Developing ward leadership skills. Nursing Management31(2). https://doi.org/10.7748/nm.2023.e2043

Ferreira, V. B., Amestoy, S. C., Silva, G. T. R. D., Trindade, L. D. L., Santos, I. A. R. D., & Varanda, P. A. G. (2020). Transformational leadership in nursing practice: challenges and strategies. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem73(6), e20190364. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2019-0364

Morse, V., & Warshawsky, N. E. (2021). Nurse leader competencies: Today and tomorrow. Nursing Administration Quarterly45(1), 65–70. https://doi.org/10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000453

American Organization of Nursing Leadership (AONL), (n.d.). AONL Nurse Leader Core Competencies. American Hospital Association. https://www.aonl.org/resources/nurse-leader-competencies

Grocutt, A., Gulseren, D., Weatherhead, J. G., & Turner, N. (2022). Can mentoring programs develop leadership? Human Resource Development International25(4), 404–414. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2020.1850090

Tran, L. T., & Nghia, T. L. H. (2020). Leadership in international education: Leaders’ professional development needs and tensions. Higher Education80(3), 479-495. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-019-00494-1

Raso, R., & O’Neil, S. (2023). Nurturing Leadership Growth in a Millennial Clinical Nurse: A Blueprint Through Mentoring. In Mentoring in Nursing through Narrative Stories Across the World (pp. 599–603). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25204-4_80