Leader Opinion Discussion

Consider a situation where you lead in the healthcare environment. What spurred that leadership role? How did you change through that process? What resources did you consult to help you grow?

  • Describe a situation in which you were (or wished you could have been) an opinion leader.
  • What are the characteristics of opinion leaders?
  • When you consider your current skill set with what you see as an opinion leader, what areas do you need to develop?
  • In what ways do you see yourself being an opinion leader in your MSN role?

Responses

1( col s) 

I consider this scenario as an example of a situation where I became an opinion leader. I noticed that nurses in my emergency department have multiple conflicting practices that are outdated and do not fully support Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). I came across a journal article that corrected common nursing misconceptions and methods through EBP. The EBP study corrected the misconception of placing hypotensive patients in the Trendelenburg (head-down) position. 

EBP studies show that Trendelenburg positioning does not improve hypotension or hypotensive shock and can even impose a danger on obese patients, increase ICP, and airway compromise (Miller et al., 2015). I decided to print the journal article and hang it in our break room. I encouraged my fellow nurses to read the article. It started a conversation. It became a learning experience for all of us in the department and eventually resulted in positive change. 

Nurses now place hypotensive patients on supine positioning with their airway protected. The patient’s lower extremities were elevated instead of the head-down position. More nurses followed in sharing EBP findings, they shared their knowledge within the group, and discussions followed. It is exciting to see fellow nurses share their expertise and work as a team.

An opinion leader is an everyday leader that can create positive change through their knowledge, optimistic views, and personality (Anderson & Whall, 2013). Opinion leaders do not have to be in a leadership role. They can be a clinician or any member of the healthcare team. They have excellent clinical and leadership knowledge and are influential because of their optimistic attitude and social skills. 

They are always open to helping others, and they create a constructive atmosphere in the organization. The areas that I need to develop as an opinion leader is to acquire more knowledge. I understand that I need to educate myself first so that I can share this knowledge and influence others to create change. I am in the process of working on my master’s degree so that I can improve myself as a clinician and as a leader. 

As an opinion leader in my future MAN role, I can see myself always looking for areas of opportunity where I can inspire others for positive change. As a future nurse executive leader, I plan to continuously support the staff, answer their questions, and engage them in providing solutions to problems. 

I plan to identify issues that affect the staff, patients, or the organization. I will work on these issues through EBP to create positive change. I will not tolerate a culture of intimidation and punitive disciplinary action as these create a

hostile working environment and lowers morale. I hope that my MSN education in leadership will equip me with the knowledge and training needed to be a good leader someday.

References:

2(ho n)

Leadership is an important skill to have as one enters the role of APRN. A leader is someone who understands the vision of an organization and is able to influence others and himself to make the vision happen (Tracy & O’grady, 2019). I have not had a chance to be in a leadership role in my career. I have been a member of groups to improve the workplace environment and patient’s care and safety in most places I have worked at. 

I am currently a member of a patients’ safety group in the unit where I work. The manager and other members value my input due to my previous background of travel nursing. They are always willing to hear what kind of safety measures other places use that can be applied to our unit.

The most important characteristic of an opinion leader is being knowledgeable in the field they represent. Leaders are usually great resources that everyone goes to with questions or problem-solving issues (Carpenter & Sherbino, 2010). Three types of networking can help leaders accomplish goals that apply to the organization vision (Ibarra & Hunter, 2019) . Operational networks allow leaders to connect with people within the organization that helps them make plans and execute them. 

Leaders recognize areas that they lack knowledge of and can resource themselves outside of the organization through personal networking. Through strategic networking, leaders recognize areas that require help and can seek support through other leaders within the organization and have them take the lead.

Knowledge is the skill I need to develop in order to become an opinion leader.I have been a nurse for less than a year and do not consider myself at the capacity of leading. There are still more things I need to learn through experience and education with time. I take advantage of the continuing education and training offered through my organization whether it is mandatory or optional to build my knowledge. Also, the MSN program I am enrolled in is going to provide me with the education I need in order to be a competent Nurse Practitioner and become an opinion leader in the next few years.

References