Read and respond to the scenario.
You are interviewing for an assistant nurse manager position with the nurse manager of your unit. She asks you to answer the following questions:
- Explain a time you had to take charge, formally or informally, on your clinical unit (be specific).
- Describe the management style you used and the type of power you had.
- Discuss whether your management style was effective and what you would have done differently.
- Would you use a different management style in the future in the same situation? If so, which one and why?
- Which management style would you choose to use going forward, and why
- A Time I Took Charge: There was a specific incident when our clinical unit was short-staffed due to unexpected call-outs during a particularly busy shift. I stepped up informally to take charge of the situation. I assessed the immediate needs, organized the remaining staff, and prioritized patient care assignments to ensure all patients received the necessary care and attention.
- Management Style and Type of Power: In this situation, I primarily used a participative or democratic management style. I collaborated with the remaining staff, asked for their input on patient assignments, and ensured everyone’s concerns and ideas were considered. The type of power I had was more referent power, as my colleagues respected my knowledge and willingness to take responsibility in a time of need.
- Effectiveness of My Management Style: Overall, I believe my style was effective in addressing the immediate staffing crisis and ensuring patient care didn’t suffer. By involving my colleagues in decision-making, we maintained a sense of teamwork and camaraderie. However, there were some aspects I could have improved. I should have communicated the plan more explicitly to avoid confusion and provided more direction to ensure everyone understood their roles clearly.
- Different Management Style for the Future: In a similar situation in the future, I would maintain a participative approach, as it encourages collaboration and empowers team members. However, I would be more assertive in communicating the plan and expectations clearly to avoid any misunderstandings.
- Management Style Going Forward: Going forward, I believe that a combination of democratic and transformational leadership styles would be effective. Transformational leadership can inspire and motivate the team to go above and beyond their duties, which is crucial in healthcare. I would continue to involve the team in decision-making but also work on enhancing their commitment to our shared goals by fostering a sense of shared purpose and vision. This approach can help create a more cohesive and motivated team, ultimately improving patient care and staff satisfaction.