WGU D218 Task 2 - Leadership Skills and Mindset
Reflection |Passed on First Attempt |Latest Update
with Complete Solution
Leadership Skills and Mindset Reflection
C. Leadership and Management
C1. Roles of a Leader and a Manager
Although leaders and managers may have similar roles, they are very different. Leaders
are described as someone who takes initiative on a vision or idea and works with others to
achieve this goal. From the course, leaders act out of purpose rather than duty. They want to see
change and they are the change. Managers are a form of leadership but is classified as a formal
role with authority. Managers keep the normalcy within the organization.
C2. Present Leadership and Management Skills
As a medical-surgical nurse, I possess both leadership and management skills. Three
present leadership skills include effective communication, collaboration with others, and
accountability. Three present management skills include delegation, organization, and attention
to detail.
C2a. Leadership and Management Skills Used in Practice
Effective communication is a trait every nurse must strive to possess within nursing.
When I am working, I must communicate with different people including coworkers, doctors,
other medical staff, patients, and family members. As a patient advocate, I must reach out to the
doctor with any patient related concerns to make sure my patient is being heard and has a voice
in their care. Also, any time I leave my unit whether it be to go downstairs for a drink or to take
my lunch break, I tell my buddy any pertinent information about my assigned patients including
do not resuscitate (DNR) status, anyone on a bed alarm, and how the patient ambulates if at all.
, Collaboration with others in nursing works synergically with effective communication. When it
comes to nursing for me, I like to take a holistic approach to patient care. On my unit we do
rounds with the nurse manager, team lead nurse, a medical doctor, and case management. The
purpose of this is to get an idea of the patients on the floor and reasons that are holding them up
for discharge, any social work needs including transportation, outpatient dialysis setup, or any
other discharge needs. As the nurse for my assigned patients that day, I work alongside several
departments simultaneously throughout the day. One of the most useful collaborations I utilize is
with pharmacy and the lab. If I am unsure about a certain medication or lab test, I use my
resources to make sure I am providing the best possible care for my patients. I would like to say I
am very accountable. If anyone at work needs help, I make sure if I have the time I help when
needed and if I am unable to at that time, I communicate that I am unable to. I also hold myself
accountable. On days that I am overwhelmed, I am honest with myself and ask for help instead
of trying to do it all myself.
Although I do not hold the title of nurse manager, I can still possess management skills.
One of those skills I possess is delegation. Being able to delegate a task to my patient care
assistant (PCA) shows assertiveness and following up with the PCA to make sure that task was
completed correctly and safely for adequate patient care. In a way, as the nurse I am managing
my care which includes delegating tasks for my PCA and nurse colleagues. Another skill I
possess is organization. When I get report from the night shift nurse, I have my specific report
sheet on hand ready to write down the information given to me about my patients. Once that has
happened, I sit down at the computer and go through the chart making sure to look at recent labs,
history and physical, last updated progress note, allergies, DNR status, physical therapy (PT)
notes, and case management notes. With all this information, it is important for me to stay
Reflection |Passed on First Attempt |Latest Update
with Complete Solution
Leadership Skills and Mindset Reflection
C. Leadership and Management
C1. Roles of a Leader and a Manager
Although leaders and managers may have similar roles, they are very different. Leaders
are described as someone who takes initiative on a vision or idea and works with others to
achieve this goal. From the course, leaders act out of purpose rather than duty. They want to see
change and they are the change. Managers are a form of leadership but is classified as a formal
role with authority. Managers keep the normalcy within the organization.
C2. Present Leadership and Management Skills
As a medical-surgical nurse, I possess both leadership and management skills. Three
present leadership skills include effective communication, collaboration with others, and
accountability. Three present management skills include delegation, organization, and attention
to detail.
C2a. Leadership and Management Skills Used in Practice
Effective communication is a trait every nurse must strive to possess within nursing.
When I am working, I must communicate with different people including coworkers, doctors,
other medical staff, patients, and family members. As a patient advocate, I must reach out to the
doctor with any patient related concerns to make sure my patient is being heard and has a voice
in their care. Also, any time I leave my unit whether it be to go downstairs for a drink or to take
my lunch break, I tell my buddy any pertinent information about my assigned patients including
do not resuscitate (DNR) status, anyone on a bed alarm, and how the patient ambulates if at all.
, Collaboration with others in nursing works synergically with effective communication. When it
comes to nursing for me, I like to take a holistic approach to patient care. On my unit we do
rounds with the nurse manager, team lead nurse, a medical doctor, and case management. The
purpose of this is to get an idea of the patients on the floor and reasons that are holding them up
for discharge, any social work needs including transportation, outpatient dialysis setup, or any
other discharge needs. As the nurse for my assigned patients that day, I work alongside several
departments simultaneously throughout the day. One of the most useful collaborations I utilize is
with pharmacy and the lab. If I am unsure about a certain medication or lab test, I use my
resources to make sure I am providing the best possible care for my patients. I would like to say I
am very accountable. If anyone at work needs help, I make sure if I have the time I help when
needed and if I am unable to at that time, I communicate that I am unable to. I also hold myself
accountable. On days that I am overwhelmed, I am honest with myself and ask for help instead
of trying to do it all myself.
Although I do not hold the title of nurse manager, I can still possess management skills.
One of those skills I possess is delegation. Being able to delegate a task to my patient care
assistant (PCA) shows assertiveness and following up with the PCA to make sure that task was
completed correctly and safely for adequate patient care. In a way, as the nurse I am managing
my care which includes delegating tasks for my PCA and nurse colleagues. Another skill I
possess is organization. When I get report from the night shift nurse, I have my specific report
sheet on hand ready to write down the information given to me about my patients. Once that has
happened, I sit down at the computer and go through the chart making sure to look at recent labs,
history and physical, last updated progress note, allergies, DNR status, physical therapy (PT)
notes, and case management notes. With all this information, it is important for me to stay
