New evidence shows that a travel nurse with leadership training and advanced education is in a better position to help his or her workplace and create a more effective unit. This is unlikely to surprise many in the field, but it does show that an emphasis on leadership skills can have an immediate and strong effect on the overall success of a healthcare facility.
A new collection of studies published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, titled the “Future of Nursing,” uses data to show that nurses who practice to the full extent of their training, attain higher degrees and act as partners to physicians can help promote better treatment and improve the efficacy of their teams.
“Nurses have always played a large role in improving health care and the lives of others,” Cheryl Wagner, associate dean of graduate nursing programs at American Sentinel University, told NurseTogether. “Now that the Institute of Medicine and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have published strong statements on nursing’s value to health care outcomes, many organizations are taking a closer look at how they use their nursing workforce.”
This revelation makes it clear that empowered, well-educated travel nurses can substantially improve the level of treatment provided by their facilities. Here are a few conclusions to be drawn from this research that can help you advance your travel nursing career and improve your job performance.
Leadership qualities
The first step to becoming a more effective and inspiring nurse is to understand the qualities of a strong leader. Taking as much initiative as possible and thinking beyond your daily duties will help you demonstrate to your co-workers that you have the best interests of your workplace in mind.
Empathy and strong emotional intelligence, Wagner notes, are also essential for a nurse with leadership aspirations. Understanding how your patients and the other members of your team are feeling will help you predict problems and devise practical solutions.
“Increased emotional intelligence enables nurses to perform well and diffuse tensions,” Wagner told the source. “Nurses with strong emotional intelligence skills have the tools to not feel crushed under the heavy weight and demands of bottom lines because they have resources to access the heart and soul reasons why they enjoy caring for others on a daily basis.”
Advanced degree
Once you have decided that you want to become a better leader, you might want to look into advanced degree options. One option is a degree specifically in nursing leadership, which helps nurses attain more managerial roles. Such a degree can help you understand the policies, techniques and training necessary to become an effective and emotionally intelligent leader.