Transformational leadership inspires others to discover meaning and purpose in relation to their work, in addition to growth and maturity.

—Smith, 2011, p. 44

Being a leader is so much more than just managing the day-to-day and taking the reins on a project. In nursing, a leader should be transformational. The transformational leader sees the best of those around them, and then harnesses these strengths for the betterment of the organization and the practice. The transformational leader encourages teamwork, positivity, and growth; there is a desire for change and progress, and the transformational leader is able to motivate those around them.

However, not all leaders are transformational leaders. What makes a transformational leader, and where do you see these leaders in your organization and nursing practice?

This week, you will explore leadership strategies (specifically looking at transformational leaders) to improve patient care and identify opportunities for change. You will also reflect on the relationship between transformational leadership and quality improvement for organizations and nursing practice. You will reflect on potential short- and long-term goals associated with quality improvement initiatives, as you consider potential project management approaches for quality improvement.

Reference:

Smith, M. A. (2011). Are you a transformational leader? Nursing Management, 42(9), 44–50. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NUMA.0000403279.04379.6a

Learning Objectives

Students will:

• Analyze relationship between transformational leadership and quality improvement
• Analyze the need for transformational leadership in healthcare organizations and nursing practice
• Recommend project management approaches to support quality improvement initiatives in nursing practice
• Analyze short-term and long-term goals associated with quality improvement initiatives

Learning Resources

Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)

Discussion: Leadership for Change

• What are the characteristics of a transformational leader?
  As you have examined this week, a transformational leader is a leader who is able to inspire change and bring out the best in those around them. However, what characteristics does this leader have? Perhaps a transformational leader is trustworthy, inspiring, and charismatic? Perhaps this leader leads with integrity, respect, and empathy? Perhaps this leader is team-focused, encouraging, and positive?

• Photo Credit: natali_mis / Adobe Stock

How would you define a transformational leader, and when might you have experienced this type of leadership?

For this Discussion, consider the role of transformational leadership for change. Explore the need for transformational leaders, and describe experiences you may have had with these leaders. Additionally, analyze how these leaders might enhance quality improvement in healthcare organizations and nursing practice.

To Prepare:

• Review the Learning Resources for this week, and reflect on potential leadership strategies for promoting change in healthcare organizations and nursing practice.
• Consider the potential impact of project management for supporting transformational leadership approaches for promoting change in organizations.
• Reflect on the relationship between transformational change, leadership strategies, and the need for quality improvement in your healthcare organization or nursing practice.

By Day 3 of Week 10

Post a brief explanation of the relationship between transformational leadership for change and the need for quality improvement. Share any experiences you may have of transformational leadership in your healthcare organization or nursing practice. Then, describe how you would recommend the application of project management approaches to support transformational leadership practices for the promotion of a quality improvement initiative in your healthcare organization or nursing practice. Be sure to include any short- and long-term milestones or goals associated with the quality improvement initiative described. Be specific and provide examples.

By Day 6 of Week 10

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses and respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by expanding upon your colleague’s post or offering an alternative recommendation on using project management approaches for leading quality improvement efforts in your colleague’s healthcare organization or nursing practice.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 10 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 of Week 10 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 10

To Participate in this Discussion:

Week 10 Discussion

What’s Coming Up in Week 11?

• Photo Credit: [BrianAJackson]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

Next week, you will evaluate change management and leadership as it relates to quality improvement. You will also explore the role of evaluating and sustaining change in quality improvement. Finally, you will submit your certificate of completion for the IHI Modules you have been working on throughout the course.

Looking Ahead: IHI Modules

• This Assignment requires completion of 13 IHI Open School modules and the completion of the Certificate of Completion at the Basic level. There are 13 modules that you must complete over the course of these 11 weeks.

• Photo Credit: NicoElNino / Adobe Stock

To access the IHI Certificate Program, go to IHI.org and register to create an account. Be sure to enter Walden University as your organization. Under Role, you will select student. Under Organization, you will select school, and under education type, you will select nurse.

Go to the Education tab, and select Open School Courses. Click on Online Courses, and then on Certificates and CEUs. You want to ensure that you are viewing the Basic Certificate in Quality and Safety. Click on Earn Your Certificate Today, and you should be in your student dashboard to begin completing the IHI modules. You will want to click on Go to your Learning Center. On the left-side navigation menu, you will want to Search Catalog to search for an enroll in each of the 13 modules required for this certificate.

You will earn contact hours for each module, and once all 13 are completed, you will download the certificate of achievement. Please save this certificate. You will be required to upload this to gradebook in evidence of your completion.

You must complete all IHI modules and submit your certificate by Day 2 of Week 11.

Next Week