Watch the “Welcome to MSN-Leadership in Healthcare Systems,” video in the Student Success Center. What questions do you have about your program? What are you looking forward to the most? Why did you choose MSN-Leadership?
At the moment, I don’t have any immediate questions about the MSN program. However, I’m eager to explore and learn more about the various aspects of the program through the resources provided. As I progress, I anticipate that questions will naturally arise, and I look forward to engaging with my peers and faculty to gain further insights into the MSN- leadership program’s offerings and opportunities. I am especially interested in learning more about effective leadership practices in healthcare settings and how they might influence patient outcomes. I am passionate in improving the healthcare system as a whole, which is why I chose the MSN-Leadership program. I can develop my leadership abilities and acquire the knowledge I need through this program to influence positive change in healthcare organizations. I’m eager to absorb knowledge from knowledgeable professors and participate in practical activities that will give me the skills I need to succeed in leadership positions in the medical field.
I don’t have any specific questions about the program at this time. I have been happy with my experience in the program so far. Everyone has been clear and helpful in all of my courses and interactions. I am actually looking forward to this class on healthcare finance the most. I have very limited experience with healthcare finance and find it very intimidating. I look forward to learning the basics of finance and being able to apply it to my current and future positions. I am a little nervous about the practicum but at the same time looking forward to putting all of this information together into a real life setting. I have learned many things in this program already and I am sure I will learn many more that will be very beneficial to my leadership role. The MSN in Leadership was a natural choice for me. I did not plan to go into nursing leadership early in my career but I was often encouraged to apply for leadership roles. There is a school of thought that people are chosen to be leaders based on their actions (Weiss & Grimley, 2019) and I believe this is what has happened in my career multiple times. I have always been drawn to leadership positions and encouraged to take on new roles. I believe that an advanced degree will give me the additional knowledge and confidence to be a better nurse leader for my team.
Weiss, S. A., Tappen, R. M., & Grimley, K. (2019). Essentials of nursing leadership & management. FA Davis.
I chose the MSN-leadership path as I wanted formal training in a position, I have held for the last 4 years. I chose to move into leadership when the opportunity presented itself and at 32 years of age, I was the youngest director of nursing for immigration and customs enforcement in Adelanto California. The “Welcome to MSN-Leadership in Healthcare Systems” is very informative and provides basic overview of what to expect including the courses that are required to complete the program. I am looking to validate my skills against the curriculum of the MSN-leadership program. Out of all the courses I am looking forward to my practicum course as that signifies getting closer to the end of the program, but more importantly I would like to address chronic and non-healing wounds within my health care organization. According to Charalambous (2023), there is a need to develop and prepare future nursing leadership, as the demands of health care are increasing in scope and complexity. Additionally, Fowler & Villanueva (2023) discuss the imposter syndrome in nursing where nurses that are promoted into the boardroom do not feel as capable as their management counterparts, as nursing is a clinical function at its core, and advanced leadership skills are more of the domain of business professionals. I can relate to the imposter syndrome as I have felt inadequate in certain settings as a nursing leader, hence my choice of MSN program.
References
Charalambous, A. (2023). Theoretical Frameworks of Leadership in Nursing: Critical Reflections. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 39(1). https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2022.151362
Fowler, K. R., & Villanueva, L. (2023). From the Bedside to the Boardroom: Imposter Syndrome in Nursing Leadership. Nurse Leader, 21(3), e7–e10. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2022.10.003
The “Welcome to MSN-Leadership in Healthcare Systems” video is very informative regarding what learners need to expect from the MSN-Leadership program. The video provides the learners with a glimpse of the different courses to pursue, expected course requirements, and available support during the program. After watching and reviewing the video, one key question that I have regarding the program is, what are the examples of suitable practicum sights, and what practicum sites would be deemed unacceptable for the leadership practicum project? Equally, should the courses provided in the program be completed in a sequential manner, or can the learner decide to start with either of the courses?
As I progress into the program, I am looking forward to achieving the highest level of learning, acquiring advanced skills and competencies in nursing leadership, and effectively translating leadership knowledge into nursing practice. I am also looking forward to developing linkages with the right and supportive individuals who will provide guidance and mentorship, both in class and in the clinical setting to mold me to become an accomplished nurse leader. In this regard, I am looking forward to choosing a preceptor who will walk with me during the program and clinical practicum to ensure that I am well-guided to achieve the expected leadership competencies.
The choice of the MSN-Leadership program was informed by an inherent desire to have a positive influence on the currently dynamic healthcare system. Leaders are influencers whose success is anchored on the ability to positively influence their followers (Caputo et al., 2023). Hence, by pursuing the MSN-Leadership, it will be possible to work from the front rather than sitting back and watching others take the lead. Equally, this course will equip me with the competence and skills that I need to seamlessly collaborate with interprofessional and multidisciplinary members in initiating and driving positive change at different levels of influence. As a nurse leader, it will be possible to champion change in the micro and macro systems hence advancing the goal of nursing. In addition, MSN Leadership was chosen since it would provide me with the platform to work as a partner as opposed to assuming a subservient role when it comes to healthcare policies. Anders (2021) indicates that nursing voice is conspicuously missing at the public level, such as representation in the government and boardrooms. This mainly arises from a lack of adequate leadership knowledge and political sophistication (Hajizadeh et al., 2021). Hence, pursuing leadership will enable me to participate in health system reforms, influence regulatory changes and bring in nursing perspective to healthcare leadership.
References
Anders, R. L. (2021, January). Engaging nurses in health policy in the era of COVID‐19. In Nursing Forum, 56(1), 89-94). doi: 10.1111/nuf.12514
Caputo, A., Gatti, P., Clari, M., Garzaro, G., Dimonte, V., & Cortese, C. G. (2023). Leaders’ Role in Shaping Followers’ Well-Being: Crossover in a Sample of Nurses. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3), 2386. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20032386
Hajizadeh, A., Zamanzadeh, V., Kakemam, E., Bahreini, R., & Khodayari-Zarnaq, R. (2021). Factors influencing nurses participation in the health policy-making process: a systematic review. BMC Nursing, 20, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00648-
