Recent Trends in Nursing and The Need for Transformational Leadership

Additional responsibilities and leadership opportunities inspire nurses to utilize and develop the skills for which they were educated. When given these additional responsibilities, nursing staff turnover dropped by twelve percent. This change is significant in that it shows a positive response to management recognizing and incorporating methods that utilize the talent within their immediate environment. Growth is necessary, and the positive impact cannot be disputed. Patients are looking not only for caring personnel but also efficient and effective personnel.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, nurses are choosing to relocate to acquire opportunities to develop leadership skills. By the year 2020, two out of three millennial nurses will be seeking other opportunities, making it not only important but necessary to give these nursing professionals additional opportunities and responsibilities. The turnover of nursing staff will not change until nurses are recognized for their skills and talents.

To learn more, check out the infographic below designed by Bradley University on behalf of the online Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Technology Trends Impacting Nursing

Technology has impacted everything in today’s culture. Nursing is no exception. Electronic health records (EHRs) are one major technological advance. When patients need their medical records, they can go online to retrieve them. Nine of 10 office-based physicians have electronic patient medical records. Seven out of 10 physician offices allow patients the option to view, download and/or share this information. Whether large, small, rural or otherwise, 90 percent of U.S. hospitals have an EHR system.

While one of the benefits of EHRs is to allow nurses more time for other required hands-on services, the electronic process is not always smooth. Glitches in the electronic system can cause frustration when trying to obtain accurate and updated health information. Technology cannot completely erase the need for human contact in this field. Nurses well trained in the management of health-based technology are more than necessary for the future.

Finance Trends Impacting Nursing

Finance is the steady lever for all that is done in health care.

Hospital costs are just about split when it comes to patient care and other financial areas. Thirty percent of hospital expenditures is on in-patient care. Nineteen percent of expenditures is on outpatient care. Nurses and nurse managers play an important role in determining the most effective and efficient methods for patient care and resource utilization to make sure costs are not increased unnecessarily. Transformational leadership in this area of patient care is important. Nursing leaders are able to help establish the best means to create financial stability when it comes to procedures, equipment and patient care.

Value of Research Experience in Nursing Roles

Nursing research generates new knowledge that helps to build a solid base of evidence to improve outcomes for patients, families and communities. Nurses also use research to shape health policy within an organization, as well as at the local, state and federal levels. Nursing research is vital to the provision of safe, effective health care.

Transformational Leaders Understand Trends

Nursing managers are essential for the smooth transition into the next era of medical care. It is imperative to focus on talent development to ensure the needs of the future are met. The need for leaders who are aware of the ongoing trends and changes is apparent. Nursing managers are needed to step up in the place of retirees, to help build the best infrastructure for medical organizations and to develop the best work culture for their staff and themselves.

Nursing managers need to be educated on the latest technology. As the future moves toward even more intricate technology, nursing managers must be able to implement practices that are to the best advantage for the organization. Changes are on the horizon, and the preparation needed to meet these changes head on is an absolute.

In summary, transformational leadership in nursing is vital for health care organizations, patients and the healthy future of the nursing staff. Health care practice changes, advancement in technology, patient-generated trends and other aspects of the medical field make it imperative that steps are taken to utilize the millennials to their full extent for best future possible.

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