The role of nurse leadership is a vital part of the healthcare organization—effective leadership skills in nursing not only contribute to better patient outcomes but also pave the way for personal and professional growth within the healthcare industry. ANA-Illinois is proud to bring nurses a guide to developing nursing leadership skills and provide insights into career advancement opportunities.
What Skills Should Nurses Prioritize?
Communication Skills
Effective communication lies at the heart of successful healthcare delivery. 
Clear communication doesn’t just mean speaking fluently.
It means knowing what information is important to convey and what isn’t. Good communication also relies on listening. So often, when things get busy, we listen to only half the story. Taking in the full account of what patients, doctors, and coworkers tell you is important in being able to decipher and recount important information.
Good communication inspires trust in patients. Listening to their needs and their feelings – both physical and mental – can make an impact on correctly diagnosing a problem. By being open, friendly, and showing compassion, nurses take a leadership role in the care of patients.
Decision-Making and Critical Thinking
Nurses often find themselves in complex healthcare scenarios that demand quick and effective decision-making. Critical thinking is key to making quick decisions. The ANA-Illinois mentorship program can provide you with experienced nursing mentors who can help you hone these skills.
Learn more about the ANA-Illinois mentorship program.
Time Management and Organizational Skills
Time management is important in every aspect of life, but especially in nursing. Healthcare is a fast-paced job. Daily tasks can be put on the back burner, paperwork piles up, and finding time to eat can be a challenge. It is necessary to know what needs to be prioritized and what can wait.
Here is a short list of things every nurse should prioritize to become the best leader they can be.
- Your Breaks
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are necessary items every person needs to be successful. As a nursing leader, giving yourself time to eat, drink water, or even just decompress for 15 minutes is important. By taking care of yourself, you give yourself the best chance at taking care of your patients and being a leader for your coworkers.
- Know The Most Important Tasks and Put Them First
What makes a real difference in the daily success of your job? Identify these things and put them first so complications don’t arise.
- Delegate – It Takes a Team
Delegating tasks isn’t about passing off work onto the next person. It’s about making sure the task gets done with the right amount of care. Taking on to much will overwhelm a person. Utilize the team of coworkers you have, and create teamwork cohesion, to make sure everything gets done.
Tips for Aspiring Nurse Leaders
Continuous Professional Development
ANA-Illinois has the resources, tools, and events to ensure you stay current with policies, procedures, and the latest healthcare changes.
- Join fellow nurses in events that discuss education, legislation, and industry updates and provide networking opportunities.
- ANA-Illinois On-Demand events give nurses a chance to join in the discussion remotely! Talk to professionals on subjects like impact bias, how to handle workplace harassment, nursing staff issues, and more.
By taking part in educational events, joining in on policy discussions, and utilizing all ANA-Illinois has to offer, nurses have all the tools they need to grow their careers.
Interested in checking out what ANA-Illinois has to offer? Click this link!
Seeking Leadership Opportunities
By actively volunteering for leadership positions and opportunities in the workplace and organizations, nurses can build a resume that will take them to the top of their field.
ANA-Illinois offers a variety of leadership opportunities for nurses! You can participate in board meetings, run for a leadership office, become a mentor or even run for office at the local, state, or federal level. The possibilities for leadership are endless at ANA.
Want to explore running for office but feel you lack some experience? ANA-Illinois has the program for you. Nurses Running for Elected Office (NREO) is a six month training program designed to help nurses build leadership skills founded by ANA-Illinois president Dr. Liz Aquino. Interested? Learn more about NREO today.
Empower Your Nursing Career: Join ANA-Illinois and Master Leadership Skills Today
Nursing leadership is a dynamic and rewarding path within the healthcare sector. By honing essential leadership skills, exploring career advancement opportunities, and following practical tips, nurses can navigate their way to successful leadership roles. Skills such as effective communication, decision-making, critical thinking, time management, and organizational abilities are vital to ensure nurses are equipped to handle the complexities of leadership in healthcare delivery and to improve patient outcomes. By embracing these skills, nurses can foster personal growth and contribute positively to their organizations, setting a benchmark for excellence in nursing leadership.
Join ANA-Illinois today and get started on your leadership journey!
