Capella 4005 Assessment 1

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4005 Nursing Leadership: Focusing on People, Processes, and Organizations

Prof. Name

Date

Collaboration and Leadership Reflection

Transformational leadership (TL) serves as a pivotal component in fostering a collaborative atmosphere in healthcare environments. As a practicing nurse, I have observed how effective leadership can drive team cohesion and enhance patient care. This reflection explores a real-world interdisciplinary collaboration experience while evaluating effective and ineffective leadership styles within that context.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration Experience

A multidisciplinary team comprised of nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and social workers collaborated to manage a patient with complex medical conditions under my clinical supervision. Our shared goal was to develop a cohesive discharge plan to ensure the continuity of care. Despite frequent meetings and efforts to coordinate, our team faced communication challenges that hindered the plan’s development. While the pharmacist contributed significantly to medication management and the social worker identified essential community resources, other team members encountered difficulties maintaining open dialogue. Specifically, a conflict arose between the nurse and physician over the patient’s discharge timeline, leading to professional tension. Additionally, ambiguous role definitions resulted in repetitive discussions during meetings, weakening the team’s effectiveness. These issues could have been mitigated with a structured communication model such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation), which promotes clarity and improves collaboration. Defining team roles more clearly and fostering mutual respect among team members would support better strategic alignment and patient care outcomes.

Effective vs. Ineffective Leadership in Collaboration

Leadership plays a critical role in guiding interdisciplinary teams and fostering effective collaboration. In the observed experience, two leadership styles—transformational and authoritarian—were evident. The nurse manager exhibited TL by encouraging team participation and open communication, which empowered staff and strengthened group engagement. Conversely, some leaders operated under an authoritarian style, making unilateral decisions without input from other team members. This top-down approach led to frustration, disengagement, and reduced collaboration among staff. Transformational leaders who communicate empathetically, remain adaptable, and build strong interpersonal relationships tend to unite teams effectively, while authoritarian leadership limits collaboration through rigid structures and limited dialogue (Ystaas et al., 2023).

Best-Practice Leadership Strategies

Incorporating TL into interdisciplinary collaboration efforts involves implementing specific leadership strategies. One effective approach includes fostering a unified vision that motivates team members and promotes alignment across disciplines. Encouraging continuous professional growth through mentorship and structured leadership training also prepares nurses to take initiative and actively contribute to team-based care efforts (Ystaas et al., 2023).

Best-Practice Interdisciplinary Collaboration Strategies

To enhance team performance during discharge planning, evidence-based IPC strategies should be prioritized. Adopting tools like TeamSTEPPS supports standardized communication, which helps reduce misunderstandings related to discharge procedures. Additionally, conducting regular interdisciplinary meetings ensures that patient care goals are aligned and team members remain informed. Integrating technology—such as comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) systems—further enhances collaboration by enabling timely access to patient data, accurate medication reconciliation, and reduced post-discharge care errors (Schnipper et al., 2021).

Developing Leadership Style

To better support transformational practices, cultivating servant leadership is vital. This approach centers on prioritizing team needs and fostering a positive work culture. Techniques to develop this style include soliciting feedback, participating in emotional intelligence training, and engaging in leadership development programs focused on conflict resolution and team motivation. These actions strengthen interpersonal relationships and create a more cohesive care environment (Kyambade et al., 2024).

Conclusion

Successful patient discharge planning relies heavily on effective leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration. By integrating transformational and servant leadership practices alongside structured, evidence-based collaboration strategies, healthcare teams can improve communication, enhance care coordination, and promote patient safety. Continued leadership development ensures that healthcare professionals are equipped to deliver high-quality, team-centered care.

Summary Table: Best Practices and Observations

References

Kyambade, M., Nkurunziza, G., Sewante, L., Namatovu, A., & Tushabe, M. (2024). Servant leadership and healthy work relationships in university context: A moderated mediation analysis of psychological safety and socially responsible leadership. Cogent Education, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186x.2024.2418802

Schnipper, J. L., Fitall, E., Hall, K. K., & Gale, B. (2021). Approach to improving patient safety: Communication. Patient Safety Network, 1(1). https://psnet.ahrq.gov/perspective/approach-improving-patient-safety-communication

Capella 4005 Assessment 1

Ystaas, L. M. K., Nikitara, M., Ghobrial, S., Latzourakis, E., Polychronis, G., & Constantinou, C. S. (2023). The Impact of Transformational Leadership in the Nursing Work Environment and Patients’ outcomes: A Systematic Review. Nursing Reports, 13(3), 1271–1290. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep13030108