Nurses are Leaders

As nurses, we lead every day – no matter where we work, the patient populations that we care for, or our role in nursing. Ask yourself these questions below. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of them, you are a leader. Why? Because ALL nurses are leaders.

• Are you an expert? What are some of the things that your colleagues come to you for repeatedly? Is it a question about a certain diagnosis or patient population? Or are the go-to person for placing I.V.s when there is a patient who is a difficult stick?
• Are you an educator? Do you teach students or new nurses or precept new-to-your-unit nurses? Do you teach colleagues from other disciplines about the unit where you work? What about patient education?
• Are you an advocate? Do you speak up for your patients and their families? How about for yourself? Your colleagues? The nursing profession?
• Are you a role model? Do you take on the charge nurse role? Do you collaborate effectively with other nurses and other members of the health care team? Are you a nurse that others strive to be like? Do you model healthy behaviors for patients and the public?
• Are you a voice for our profession? Are you educated about the issues affecting nursing and health care? Are you a committee member at your institution? Are you a member of a professional nursing organization? Are you involved in local, state, or national boards?
• Are you a nurse? How often do family members and friends come to you with a health-related question or advice? The title ‘nurse’ signifies leadership to those around us.

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Lippincott Clinical Leaders Podcast

To help you be confident in your skills as a clinical leader, we are proud to bring you this new podcast series, Lippincott Clinical Leaders. Hear from experts about important clinical topics to reinforce your knowledge and skills and help you lead at the bedside!

SBAR Communication 

Anne Dabrow Woods, DNP, RN, CRNP, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC, FAAN
In this episode, Dr. Anne Dabrow Woods, Chief Nurse of Health Learning, Research and Practice talks about SBAR communication. Learn how to use this structured, concise way to communicate using the acronym SBAR, which stands for situation, background, assessment, and recommendation.


 

Rapid Response Teams             

Elizabeth Tomaszewski, DNP, RN, CRNP, CNE, CCRN, ACNP-BC, ACNPC
In this episode of the Lippincott Clinical Leaders podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Tomaszewski talks about rapid response teams (RRT), including reasons for calling, the members of the RRT team and their roles, and what the nurse at the bedside needs to know. 

Cardiac Output             

Anne Dabrow Woods, DNP, RN, CRNP, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC, FAAN
In this episode of the Lippincott Clinical Leaders podcast, Dr. Anne Dabrow Woods, Chief Nurse of Health Learning, Research and Practice talks about cardiac output and other terms related to cardiac physiology that are often confusing. Anne breaks down contractility, stroke volume, ejection fraction, preload and afterload, systemic vascular resistance and pulmonary vascular resistance, and more. Review what nurses need to know when it comes to cardiac output!

Neuro Terminology      

Robin Coyne MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC
In this episode of the Lippincott Clinical Leaders podcast, Robin Coyne breaks down common terminology related to neurology and explains why it's important to be able to paint an accurate picture of the patient. Neuro terminology can be confusing, but it’s critical for nurses to get the words right.

Chest Pain        

Anne Dabrow Woods, DNP, RN, CRNP, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC, FAAN
In this episode of the Lippincott Clinical Leaders podcast, Dr. Anne Dabrow Woods breaks down assessment and care of the patient with chest pain. Anne discusses how to use the nursing process to assess the patient, make a plan, intervene, and then evaluate the results of that intervention. We also discuss how to communicate what’s happening to the provider and what interventions should be considered.

Neuro Assessment       

Robin Coyne MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC
In this episode of the Lippincott Clinical Leaders podcast, Robin Coyne reviews the need-to-know elements of a basic neuro assessment that evaluates for mental status, strength, coordination, sensation, and reflexes as well as a summary of the Glasgow Coma Scale. All nurses should have a background in neuro assessment!

The Nurse's Role during a Code           

Elizabeth Tomaszewski, DNP, RN, CRNP, CNE, CCRN, ACNP-BC, ACNPC
In this episode of the Lippincott Clinical Leaders podcast, Dr. Beth Tomaszewski discusses leadership during a code and the role of the bedside nurse. The bedside nurse is often the person who knows the patient best and has valuable information to communicate to the team. Beth emphasizes the importance of nurses leading from their role, whether they are the medication nurse, the recorder, the family liaison, or any other role during the code.

The NIH Stroke Scale   

Robin Coyne MSN, RN, AGACNP-BC
In this episode of the Lippincott Clinical Leaders podcast, Robin Coyne reviews the components of the NIH Stroke Scale. This scale measures neurological function and deficits by asking the patient to answer questions and perform physical and mental tests how to use the nursing process to assess the patient, make a plan, intervene, and then evaluate the results of that intervention. We also discuss how to communicate what’s happening to the provider and what interventions should be considered.