N605 Concepts of nursing leadership

Guidelines for Interview Paper Assignment

Purpose:  The purpose of this paper is to foster your synthesis of course content.  This paper should reflect the course readings, materials covered in class, and any pertinent literature or research to support your writing.  Emphasis is on the role and practice of the interviewee (advanced practice nurse leader).  It is expected that the paper will be referenced where appropriate, following APA guidelines. The expected length of the paper is 7-8 pages double-spaced (excludes title page and references).
 

To Get Started: Choose an advanced practice nurse leader (Nurse Executive, Nursing Director, Nurse Manager, Nursing Supervisor), or other advanced practice nurse (nurse quality specialist, nurse informaticist, nurse practitioner, CNS or CNL) who is serving in a leadership role and arrange an interview. The interview should reflect the knowledge you have acquired in NU 605.  Therefore, the focus should be on role development in leadership and management responsibilities. Consider interviewing a nurse in a setting in which you hope to practice.  You may use initials or a pseudonym for the leader you are interviewing.

All the information you collect in the interview will be used to write your role assessment, role analysis, and comparative analysis sections. You may include some quotes from the nurse leader to exemplify a point that you are making in your writing.

Utilize the following guidelines to assist you in framing your questions during the interview and to document your interview findings in each of the sections of your paper. Be sure to include references to leadership theory, research and evidence-based practice.  Remember to use APA format, including labeling the sections of your paper with headings, and attaching a reference list at the end of the paper. There should be a minimum of 8-10 references on your list.

PAPER GUIDELINES
 

1. Introduction and description of the purpose and goals of the paper.  

2. Assessment of the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN).  
   A.   Describe the nurse in relation to the organization in which he/she practices

• • • What is her/his official job description-title?
    • What is his/her placement on the organizational chart?
    • Describe administrative responsibilities, scope of responsibility.

B.   Discuss the evolution of the role of this nurse in advanced practice.   
             Include:

                          Experience

Education – be specific

                                    Mentors she/he had during her/his career

            C.    What is this APN’s predominant model/theory/style of leadership?  

                        Does this Nurse practice under this framework as perceived by this individual?

D.    Describe the leadership behaviors and attributes of this APN.      

                         What does he/she describe as his/her strengths, weaknesses and/or challenges?

E.    Describe the politics of this leader’s power within the organization     
               Include:    

Concepts/perceptions of his/her authority
             Concepts related to his/her empowerment and empowerment of others in the               organization.

             F.     Describe the role of this nurse in the intra-organizational arena.    

                         Examples:   Committee work, special projects

             G. Describe the role of this nurse outside of the organization  (professional community)      
 

Include:
    (1) presentations
    (2) publications
    (3) research
    (4) health care policy work

    (5) participation in professional organizations

    (6) professional achievements

3. Role Analysis:
         From your perspective and based on the assessment, discuss those behaviors and successes 

                        which exemplify leadership in this individual.

            This aspect of the paper should encompass and reference the topics in the course with

            depth and scholarly quality.

4. Comparative analysis:
         Compare you own role expectations with that of this nurse.  

         To what extent and how did your assessment of this nurse differ from your

                 preconceived ideas and expectations of his/her role as a leader. How are you like this nurse leader or not like this leader in your own leadership philosophy, style or strengths?

            This aspect of the paper should be written with depth and be of scholarly quality.

5. Summary and evaluation of this learning experience.

Please note that points will be deducted for incorrect APA form and grammar.