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Page 49
Volume 3
Journal of Nursing Research and Practice
Nursing & Immunology 2019
March 11-12, 2019
Neonatology, Pediatric Nursing and Nursing
Immunology
March 11-12, 2019 London, UK
World Congress on
8
th
World Congress on
&
J Nursing Research and Practice, Volume 3
DOI: 10.4172/2632-251X-C1-003
The role of front-line nurse leadership in improving care
Paul Whitby
Bethlem Royal Hospital, UK
Residing in a hospital or care home can sometimes mean placing oneself at risk of poor practice, neglect or abuse. This is particularly
the case for vulnerable people, especially those with Learning Disabilities or older people (e.g. Rowan Ward 2003; Leas Cross 2006;
Stafford Hospital 2010, 2013; Winterbourne View 2012; Glan Clwyd 2014; Gosport War Memorial Hospital 2018).
There has been considerable discussion in the nursing literature and soul-searching in the profession about this. An explanation is
unlikely to be found in terms of a sudden, and unexplained, decline in the moral character of today’s nurses. A more satisfactory
explanation is set forth using situational variables. Salient features of a ward or care home may include 1) The quantity of work; 2) The
emotional quality of that work; 3) Inappropriate rewards for non-care tasks alongside lack of reward for care tasks; 4) Social pressures,
especially intergroup hostility and conformity to group norms.
One very practical way of combatting such situational factors, and one that can be put in to action immediately, is to develop the
leadership abilities of every qualified nurse working on a ward or in a care home. Every nurse who has any supervisory role will
necessarily exercise leadership and it is at the frontline that the effects on the patients’ lived experience of this leadership will be felt
most acutely.
While some nurses are ‘naturals’ at leadership most will have to work to develop themselves. A straightforward model for frontline
leadership is described that includes 1) Professional and Organisational skills; 2) Personal Values; 3) The Appropriate Use of
Authority; 4) Interpersonal skills. Examples of how frontline nurses may articulate and strengthen their personal values and then use
their personal and positional power to put these values in to action will be given.
paul@caretolead.uk