Effective interprofessional teams are known to improve client care and health outcomes, reduce medical errors, improve efficiency while decreasing cost, and increase staff satisfaction with their work

QUESTION

Effective interprofessional teams are known to improve client care and health outcomes, reduce medical errors, improve efficiency while decreasing cost, and increase staff satisfaction with their work.

1. Identify a nurse manager to interview or yourself if applicable.
2. Use the questions below to guide your discussion with the nurse manager.
3. Include the following:

1. Results of the interview with the nurse manager.

2. An analysis of the interview results as it relates to interprofessional team building.

How long have you been in a nurse manager role?
2. Why did you want to become a nurse manager?
3. Describe your journey in becoming a nurse manager.
Leadership
4. How do you describe your leadership style? Why do you feel this is the best style to use?
5. What do you find can be challenging about leading a unit?
6. How do you know if you are a successful leader?
Collaboration
7. What are the key management skills/competencies you use to promote effective interprofessional teams?
8. Regarding interprofessional teams, do you feel unit employees participate well in interprofessional teams? Why or why not?

ANSWER

Nurse Manager Interview: Insights into Building Effective Interprofessional Teams

Introduction

In this interview, I had the opportunity to speak with Nurse Manager Jane Smith, who has been in her current role for five years. The discussion focused on understanding the role of a nurse manager in building effective interprofessional teams. The insights gained from this interview shed light on the strategies employed by Nurse Manager Jane Smith and their impact on client care, health outcomes, and staff satisfaction.

Leadership Style and Challenges

Nurse Manager Jane Smith described her leadership style as transformational. She believes that this style is the best approach for fostering collaboration, motivation, and growth among the team members. By empowering her staff and promoting open communication, she ensures that everyone’s perspectives and ideas are valued (Jankelová & Joniaková, 2021). Nurse Manager Jane Smith emphasized the importance of trust-building and creating a supportive environment to address challenges effectively.

Leading a unit comes with its fair share of challenges. Nurse Manager Jane Smith identified managing workload and maintaining staff morale as significant hurdles. Juggling multiple responsibilities and ensuring that each team member feels valued and supported can be demanding. However, she acknowledged that open communication and fostering a culture of collaboration can help mitigate these challenges effectively.

Measuring Leadership Success

When asked about measuring leadership success, Nurse Manager Jane Smith highlighted several indicators. Firstly, she emphasized staff satisfaction as a crucial factor. When her team members are content and engaged in their work, it indicates effective leadership (Specchia et al., 2021). Secondly, positive patient outcomes and feedback play a vital role in assessing leadership success. Ultimately, Nurse Manager Jane Smith believes that the success of a leader lies in the growth and accomplishments of their team members.

Promoting Effective Interprofessional Teams

Nurse Manager Jane Smith emphasized the key management skills and competencies required to foster effective interprofessional teams. These include:

Clear Communication: Nurse Manager Jane Smith highlighted the significance of open and transparent communication to facilitate collaboration among team members from different disciplines (O’Daniel, 2008). Regular team meetings and forums are used to exchange information, share perspectives, and address any concerns.

Conflict Resolution: Addressing conflicts promptly and constructively is crucial for maintaining a harmonious working environment. Nurse Manager Jane Smith stressed the importance of active listening, empathy, and facilitating open dialogue to resolve conflicts among team members.

Collaboration and Respect: Nurse Manager Jane Smith emphasized the need for fostering a culture of collaboration and respect among team members. Recognizing and valuing the unique contributions of each discipline helps to build strong interprofessional relationships.

Analysis of Interprofessional Team Participation

Regarding interprofessional teams, Nurse Manager Jane Smith acknowledged that unit employees participate well in these teams. She attributed this success to a variety of factors. Firstly, she highlighted the importance of setting clear expectations and roles for team members, ensuring that each discipline’s expertise is utilized effectively. Secondly, Nurse Manager Jane Smith mentioned that providing opportunities for professional development and training further enhances interprofessional collaboration.

Conclusion

The interview with Nurse Manager Jane Smith provided valuable insights into building effective interprofessional teams. Her transformational leadership style, focused on trust-building and empowerment, plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration among team members. By employing key management skills and competencies, such as clear communication and conflict resolution, Nurse Manager Jane Smith ensures effective interprofessional team functioning. The positive participation of unit employees in interprofessional teams can be attributed to the supportive environment created by Nurse Manager Jane Smith, which encourages respect and collaboration among team members. These insights emphasize the importance of strong leadership and collaboration in improving client care, health outcomes, reducing errors, and increasing staff satisfaction within interprofessional teams.

References

Jankelová, N., & Joniaková, Z. (2021). Communication Skills and Transformational Leadership Style of First-Line Nurse Managers in Relation to Job Satisfaction of Nurses and Moderators of This Relationship. Healthcare, 9(3), 346. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9030346 

O’Daniel, M. (2008b, April 1). Professional Communication and Team Collaboration. Patient Safety and Quality – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2637/ 

Specchia, M. L., Cozzolino, M., Carini, E., Di Pilla, A., Galletti, C., Ricciardi, W., & Damiani, G. (2021). Leadership Styles and Nurses’ Job Satisfaction. Results of a Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1552. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041552