Examining Concepts Of Leadership And Reflection In Nursing Essay

Examining Concepts Of Leadership And Reflection In Nursing Essay Western (2008) says that, the term leadership has different meanings and we will aware of leadership when we see it. By the estimates of Durbin (2000), in academic literature there are 35,000 definitions for leadership (Pye,2005;P.32). According to Stodyill (1974;p.257), there are as many people tried to define the idea of leadership as many definitions of leadership as there are. Hemphil and Coons (1957,p.7) defined leadership as the behaviour of an individual directing the activities of a group toward a shared goal. Clark (2009) says that the change in the definition of leadership occurs according to the person, whom we ask to define the term. Houser and Player (2004) concluded in their study of a dozen nurse leaders as that, the nurse leaders have some common characteristics such as innovative, courageous, visionary, scholarly, resilient, creative, committed, responsive, and thoughtful. Tan (2006) suggests that the concept of leadership as, to influence a person or follower, to do what is critical to achieve societal and organizational goals. Nurses are particularly aware about the necessity of reflective practices among health care professionals (Duffy,2007;Manthey,2001, et al.). Same as that practice of reflective leadership have an equal importance in this profession (Deutsch and Sherwood,2008). Oestreich (2009) says that, reflective leaders must know about, how they are opening paths for clear communication and goal fulfilment, where they are in the progress of their own and organizational goals, and how they connect with others. Great leaders have to walk alone sometimes, such aloneness can facilitate reflection(Drucker,1996,p.9). Qualitative researchers says that , more distant reflection is possible through the observation of the participant. In a nutshell, both the individual leader, more than that the organization benefited by the reflective practices. LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS According to Nanus,B (1985), integrity, passion, and vision are the fundamental characteristics of a good leader. Sociability, integrity, determination, self-confidence,and intelligence are the characteristics belong commonly to leaders (Stodgill,1948,1974). Research among 46 magnet hospitals clearly defined the value of leaders as they are knowledgeable and supportive, enthusiastic and visionary, have expectations and high standards, value professional development and education, demonstrate status and power in the organization, are responsive and visible, are active in professional associations and communicate openly (Mc Clure Hinshaw,2002;Scott et al,1999;Kramer,1990;Mc Clure,Poulin,et al,1983;Kramer Schmalenberg,2005). Murphy and DeBack (1991) identified nurse leader have leadership characteristics such as learning and taking initiative, designing organization structure, mastering change, and managing the dream. LEADERSHIP THEORIES Many leadership theories are useful to nursing (Burns,1985). By Patricia Kelly (2010) the major leadership theories classified in to the following approaches: Behavioural, contemporary, and contingency approaches. BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH In behavioural approach the leadership studies by Kurt Lewin et al.(1930) gave information about three widely existing leadership styles. That are autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire leadership styles. Autocratic style of leadership the opportunity to make decisions centralized in the leader and the leader has the power to control and command the team members. In democratic style the team members have the authority to take decisions and there is a close inter personal relationship between the leader and the individual team members moreover there is sharing of opinions. By Lewin (1939) laissez-faire leaders postpone decision making and are characterized by freedom of behaviour. In this group the negative points are the low productivity and the feeling of dissatisfaction. CONTEMPORARY APPROACH This approach gave importance to the development of learning organizations and lead the process of transforming change. Charismatic theory, transformational leadership theory, knowledge workers, emotional intelligence, and wheatleys new science of leadership are under this approach (Kelly,P,2010). CONTINGENCY APPROACH In this theory the factors in the environment influences the leaders outcomes. This approaches include the situational theory of Hersey and Blanchard, Feilders contingency theory, path goal theory and the idea of substitutes for leadership Among these theories one theory that has become relevant to nursing is the transformational leadership theory (Burns,1985). Transformational leadership is defined as, One who inspires and empowers everyone with the vision of what could be possible(Hood,2010,p.460). The suggestion by IOM (2003,b) is that,the transformational leadership acts as a safety net for the patients. According to Clark (2009,p.17) transformational leadership and authentic leadership are the two different types of leadership styles significantly important for nurses. THE IMPORTANCE OF REFLECTIVE PRACTICE IN NURSING LEADERSHIP The maintenance of a personal professional profile is important for the attainment of maximum reflection in education and practice after the registration of a practitioner, by UKCC. The regularly recording of daily events and preplanned learning activities as a part of reflective process are the bias of this profile (UKCC,1997). One of the inevitable processes in clinical supervision is the reflection. Moreover, clinical supervision helps the practitioner to up bring the standard of care and thus it support in their practice (UKCC,1996). REFLECTION The concept of reflection is difficult to define (James Clarke,1994;Clarke et al., 1996). John Dewey (1933,p.9) defined the term reflection as active, persistent, and careful consideration of any belief or supposed form of knowledge in the light of the grounds that support it and the further conclusions to which it tends. By Dewey (1933) the application of scientific methods are possible through experimentation and reasoning and there by challenge and test out true beliefs. His studies influenced the educational ideas and work of Schon,D (1983,1987); Boyd Fales (1983); and Boud et al.(1985). According to Boyd Fales (1983) reflection is the process of internal examination and exploration of a concerned issue, by an event, that self clarify and creates meaning and resulted in a different conceptual perspective. In definitions of reflection, most of them support the ideas of intellectual skills and creativity development, self awareness raising, and new knowledge development (Hancoc k,P,1999). By Boud et al. (1985), to becoming a reflective practitioner, one should consider an issue, triggered by an experience, go back through it, and ponder over it and then they will get a new insight about that particular situation. TYPES OF REFLECTION Schon (1987) noticed two types of reflection in his studies. Reflection-on-action and reflection-in-action. He identified that practitioners use reflection, when they met with unique situations, when they may not be able to use previously learned theories or techniques by formal education. By the concept of his reflection-on-action, to develop as a practitioner or person, critical thinking and construction and reconstruction of events are important. On the other hand, by his reflection-in-action, action from a practitioner reshaped due to his thinking while he is doing it and with out disturbing it. SKILLS NECESSARY FOR REFLECTION By Atkins Murphy (1993) the skills such as description, synthesis, evaluation, judgement, critical analysis, and self-awareness are necessary for reflection. Front-runners in nursing have established some models of reflection, significantly those of Schon (1983,1987); Kolb (1984); Boud,Cohen et al.(1993); Boud,Keogh et al.(1985); and Johns (1992). Their levels of explanations are different, while the retrospective phenomenon of reflection has three fundamental processes. That are retrospection, reorientation, and self-evaluation (Quinn,F,M,).DATE MODELS OF REFLECTION à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Reflective Practice was introduced by Donald Schon in his book The Reflective Practitioner in 1983.   There are different models of reflection in practice.   In that I would like to discuss about the two models of reflection Gibbs model, 1988 Johns model, 1995.      GIBBS MODEL OF REFLECTION 1988 Gibbs model is a cyclic process of reflection, in that a practitioner describes the experience and must evaluate and analysis of how they were feeling during the experience.   By the evaluation and analysis of the emotions associated with the situation give the practitioner a chance to understand the situation and come to a conclusion of what else could be done, or what other options could have been taken.   Most importantly,in Gibbs model of reflection the final stage is the formulation of action plan, that give an idea about what actions would be taken if the situation happened again (W http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflective_practice). JOHNS MODEL It is a structured mode of reflection that provides a practitioner with a guide to gain greater understanding.   In this model of reflection, reflection carried out through the act of sharing of emotions with colleague or a mentor and it provides a faster rate of learning than reflection alone.   In order to achieve reflection looking in on ones thoughts and emotions and looking out at the situation experienced are important steps in this model of reflection.   Mainly five patterns of learning are included in to the guided reflection, that are the practitioners analysis about the aesthetic, personal, ethical, empirical, and the reflexive elements experienced through the situation. REASONS TO PREFER JOHNS MODEL OVER GIBBS MODEL I think Johns model of reflection is better than that of Gibbs model because, in Johns model practitioner get an opportunity to share with a colleague or mentor, about their thoughts and emotions of their own and about the situation experienced.   It seems to me that by the sharing of emotions definitely, we will get a clear cut idea about the feelings of the self and about the situation in a faster rate. Looking in and looking out become easier when the structured questions shared between a colleague or an experienced person.   In Gibbs model of reflection, evaluation and analysis of the emotions associated with the situation experienced is important and there is no sharing of ideas or emotions with anybody.   I feel that with out the sharing of emotions reflection occurs in a slower rate.

Berlin Conference

For three long months, 14 countries from Western Europe and the United States attended the Berlin Conference. This important conference is also known as Congo Conference or Berlin West Africa Conference. The countries that attended include Austria-Hungary, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden-Norway, Turkey, and US.Interesting enough, not a single country of Africa attended even though the conference was entirely about the division of land on the African continent. The major players at this conference were the great and mighty countries of France, Germany, Great Britain, and Portugal. This conference that started on November 15, 1884 and ended on February 26, 1885 was called for by Portugal and organized by Otto von Bismarck, chancellor of Germany and minister of Prussia.The original goal of this lengthy conference was to agree that the Congo River and Niger River mouths and basins are neutral and are open to free trade . Before the conference, 80% of Africa remained to be traditionally and locally ruled. The Europeans only controlled the coastal areas. This all changed because King Leopold II wanted glory for Portugal and organized a secret mission to form Congo Free State. King Leopold and other countries wanted to take advantage of its gold, timber, land, timber, and labor power.When France discovered King Leopold II’s scheme, she got mad which eventually resulted in this conference. The final result of this conference culminated in the General Act of BerlinConference. This document prohibited international slave trade, made Congo Free State a private property of Congo Society (although Leopold still uses it as his private property), permit free trade in Congo Basin and Lake Niassa, and allow free ship traffic on the Niger and Congo river.A new map of the African continent was created. It divided the vast continent into 50 geometric countries with no regards for cultural and linguistic bo undaries of the native Africans. The only countries remaining free are Ethiopia and Liberia (US’s country to return slaves to their â€Å"homeland†. All in all, the Berlin Conference caused Africans to lose their autonomy and ushered in heightened colonial activity.

The Jackson Memorial Health System BCG Matrix Analysis

Introduction The Jackson Memorial Health System is based in Miami. This not-for-profit, county run organization has multiple sites, the main one being Jackson Memorial Hospital. The hospital has over 1550 licensed beds and is a teaching facility for the medical school at the University of Miami (JHS Miami, 2012). While the JHS has a number of different programs and facilities, it is important from the perspective of central management to understand the position that each has in the marketplace. JHS has a significant market share, as it is the largest hospital in Miami-Dade County. Its size and its mandate to serve the residents of the country regardless of ability to pay ensures a strong customer flow and substantial market share. The hospitals total revenue for the latest fiscal year was $4.8 billion, and on this it lost $34 million, an amount the county covers through a sales tax levy (Beckers, 2012). BCG Matrix One tool that can help an organization to understand its competitive positioning is the BCG Matrix. This matrix is based on the product life cycle theory and is typically used to help organizations make decisions about what products or services should be given priority over scarce resources (VBM, 2012). In analyzing Jacksons portfolio it is important to bear in mind that not all services are going to be in any one category. With a hospital this large and diversified, there will be things in which it is especially strong and things in which it is especially

About the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Created under the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) functions as a regulatory agency under the U.S. Department of Transportation with a primary mission of ensuring the safety of civil aviation. Civil aviation includes all non-military, private and commercial aviation activities, including aerospace activities. The FAA also works closely with the U.S. military to ensure the safe operation of military aircraft in public airspace across the nation. Primary Responsibilities of the FAA Include: Regulating civil aviation to promote safety within the U.S. and abroad. The FAA exchanges information with foreign aviation authorities; certifies foreign aviation repair shops, air crews, and mechanics; provides technical aid and training; negotiates bilateral airworthiness agreements with other countries; and takes part in international conferences.Encouraging and developing civil aeronautics, including new aviation technology.Developing and operating a system of air traffic control and navigation for both civil and military aircraft.Researching and developing the National Airspace System and civil aeronautics.Developing and carrying out programs to control aircraft noise and other environmental effects of civil aviation,Regulating U.S. commercial space transportation. The FAA licenses commercial space launch facilities and private launches of space payloads on expendable launch vehicles. Investigation of aviation incidents, accidents and disasters is conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent government agency. Organization of the FAAAn administrator manages FAA, assisted by a Deputy Administrator. Five Associate Administrators report to the Administrator and direct the line-of-business organizations that carry out the agencys principle functions. The Chief Counsel and nine Assistant Administrators also report to the Administrator. The Assistant Administrators oversee other key programs such as Human Resources, Budget, and System Safety. We also have nine geographical regions and two major centers, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center and the William J. Hughes Technical Center. FAA History What would become the FAA was born in 1926 with passage of the Air Commerce Act. The law established the framework of the modern FAA by directing the Cabinet-level Department of Commerce with promoting commercial aviation, issuing and enforcing air traffic rules, licensing pilots, certifying aircraft, establishing airways, and operating and maintaining systems to help pilots navigate the skies. The Commerce Department’s new Aeronautics Branch took off, overseeing U.S. aviation for the next eight years. In 1934, the former Aeronautics Branch was renamed the Bureau of Air Commerce. In one of its first acts the Bureau worked with a group of airlines to set up the nation’s first air traffic control centers in Newark, New Jersey, Cleveland, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois. In 1936, the Bureau assumed control of the three centers, thus establishing the concept of federal control over air traffic control operations at major airports. Focus Shifts to Safety In 1938, after a series of high-profile fatal accidents, the federal emphasis shifted to aviation safety with passage of the Civil Aeronautics Act. The law created the politically-independent Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA), with a three-member Air Safety Board. As a forerunner of today’s National Transportation Safety Board, the Air Safety Board began investigating accidents and recommending how they could be prevented. As a pre-World War II defense measure, the CAA assumed control over air traffic control systems at all airports, including towers at small airports. In the post-war years, the federal government assumed responsibility for air traffic control systems at most airports. On June 30, 1956, a Trans World Airlines Super Constellation and a United Air Lines DC-7 collided over the Grand Canyon killing all 128 people on the two planes. The crash happened on a sunny day with no other air traffic in the area. The disaster, along with the growing use of jet airliners capable of speeds nearing 500 miles per hour, drove a demand for a more unified federal effort to ensure the safety of the flying public. Birth of the FAA On August 23, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aviation Act, which transferred the old Civil Aeronautics Authoritys functions to a new independent, regulatory Federal Aviation Agency responsible for ensuring the safety of all aspects of non-military aviation. On December 31, 1958, the Federal Aviation Agency began operations with retired Air Force General Elwood Pete Quesada serving as its first administrator. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson, believing a single coordinated system for federal regulation of all modes of land, sea and air transportation was needed, directed Congress to create the cabinet-level Department of Transportation (DOT). On April 1, 1967, the DOT began full operation and immediately changed the name of the old Federal Aviation Agency to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). On the same day, the accident investigation function of the old Air Safety Board was transferred to the new National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).