Angela Adjetey-Appiah, MSN, MPH, MA, RN, FAACM
Director of Oncology Services Exeter Hospital
Special Author for Diversitynursing.com
Question: What is the role of a nurse leader in the inpatient clinical setting? Is it the same as a charge nurse? What is the pathway to becoming a nurse leader?
Allegra H.
Answer: Dear Allegra,
The Nurse Leader offers insights into the systems and processes, and asks questions such as, how can we do things better? How can we make staff’s work life better? Nursing Leaders also are knowledgeable, well-versed in the field and what’s going on in the industry, and are not afraid to make evidence-based decisions (https://www.nurse.com/blog/2016/03/21/what-makes-a-good-nurse-leader/).
The pathway to becoming a Nurse Leader starts with being active in your hospital, participating in committees and councils to make improvements, taking a charge Nurse role, participating in a clinical ladder program, and being a change agent.
One of the degrees most Nurse Leaders seek is within the health administration/health services management area.
The following website will help you with more details of what a Nurse Leader and or an emerging Nurse Leader needs to know: http://www.emergingrnleader.com/