Basic Nursing: Foundations of
Skills & Concepts
Chapter 30
LEADERSHIP
AND WORK
TRANSITION
Leadership
The ability to direct or motivate others to
achieve goals.
 Many personal qualities are associated
with leadership, including self-direction,
flexibility, and assertiveness.
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Leadership Styles
Autocratic (task-oriented; based on
premise that leader knows best).
 Democratic (based on the underlying
belief that every member of the team
should have input).
 Laissez-Faire (a passive, nondirect
approach that empowers the group rather
than one person).
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Leadership Skills
Communication.
 Problem Solving.
 Self-Evaluation.
 Management.
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Management
The accomplishment of tasks through the
effective use of people and resources.
 Every nurse is a manager.
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Aspects of Management
Planning.
 Organizing.
 Supervising.
 Monitoring.
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Planning
Identifying tasks to be accomplished.
 Determining available resources.
 Assessing skill level of workers.
 Identifying problems.
 Setting priorities.
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Organizing
Making client assessments.
 Ensuring availability of resources.
 Sharing pertinent information.
 Determining time tables (e.g. of breaks,
lunch, completion of certain tasks).
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Supervising
Directing care provided by others.
 Investigating problems.
 Communicating information.
 Reallocating people and resources as
needed.
 Educating staff as needed.
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Monitoring
Determining whether tasks have been
accomplished.
 Assessing need for further action.
 Ensuring that proper documentation is
completed.
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Tasks of the LP/VN
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Client assessments (can
collect data but not
perform physical
assessments).
Independent
development of nursing
care plan.
Intravenous
chemotherapy.
Any procedures involving
central lines.
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Triage, case
management, or mental
health counseling.
Administration of blood
and blood products.
Administration of initial
doses of any intravenous
medication.
Tasks of the UAP
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Activities of Daily Living
(feeding, grooming,
toileting, ambulating,
dressing).
Vital signs.
Venipuncture.
Applying clean dressings
without assessment.
Non-nursing functions
(clerical work, transport,
cleaning).
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Glucometer use.
Mouth care and oral
suctioning.
Care of hair,skin, and
nails.
Electrocardiogram
measurements.
Delegation
The process of transferring to a
competent individual the authority to
perform a select task in a select situation.
 State provision for the delegation of
nursing tasks vary.

Accountability

The responsibility for actions and
inactions performed by oneself or others.
Assignment

The transfer of activities from one person
to another, involving the downward or
lateral transfer of both responsibility and
accountability for an activity.
Delegation/Assignment:
Factors to Consider
The potential for harm.
 The complexity of the task.
 The required problem solving and
innovation.
 The unpredictability of the outcome.
 The required coordination and
consistency of the client’s care.

The Five “Rights” of Delegation
Right Task.
 Right Circumstance.
 Right Person.
 Right Direction/Communication.
 Right Supervision.

Care Prioritization:
Factors to Consider
Safety.
 Timing.
 Interdependence
of Events.

Client Requests.
 Availability of Help.
 Client’s Status.
 Availability of
Resources.

Job Description
A written outline of job responsibilities.
 May include a list of competencies (the
specific skills or tasks needed for a
particular position).

Policies

Written descriptions of the employer’s
expectations for handling various
situations.
Procedures

Step-by-step instructions describing the
processes for performing various nursing
tasks.
Organizational Chart

A visual representation of the
relationships of one department to
another within the facility and/or the
relationship of the facility to other facilities
in a health care network.
State Board Examination and
Licensure: The NCLEX-PN
The examination that all practical nurses
must pass in order to be licensed.
 Tests the skills and knowledge required
for entry-level practice.
 After successfully passing the NCLEX,
the nursing license from the state board is
issued.
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Employment Opportunities
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Hospitals.
Long-Term Care
Facilities and
Rehabilitation Centers.
Community Health
Agencies.
Private Duty.
Home Care Agencies.
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Hospice.
Occupational Health.
Correctional Facilities.
School.
Parish.
Insurance Companies.
8 Steps to Securing a Job
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Identifying your objective.
Preparing a résumé.
Preparing a cover letter.
Preparing a list of references.
Preparing a telephone call script.
Completing a job application.
Preparing for the interview.
Preparing a thank you note.
Résumé
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A job-hunting tool that summarizes your
employment qualifications.
Includes:
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Name, address, phone number, and e-mail, if you
have an account.
Objective.
Educational experience including names of schools,
dates attended, and course of study.
Employment history including employers’ names and
addresses, dates of employment, and description of
work experience.
The Interview: Helpful Hints
Research the employer.
 Anticipate questions.
 Be prepared.
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