An assignment for our leadership class is to interview someone that we consider to be a nurse leader. In my time as a nursing student I have met many people that could fit this description. It was hard to select just one person because nurses must demonstrate leadership qualities in order to be a successful nurse. With this in mind I was faced with a large selection to choose from when deciding who I wanted to interview for this assignment.  I made my decision by reflecting on how I had seen each one be a leader during my time with them. Each one had shown me different ways to be a leader that weren’t offensive or didn’t come off as “bossy.” I think finding a way to be a leader without making people feel like they are less than you is such an important quality and the only way to be an effective leader.

With these qualities in mind, I chose someone that was an effective leader to me. This person taught me so much about the nursing profession without making me feel like I should have known more than I did at that time. I had some experiences with educators where I felt that they were irritated or annoyed to teach me something. This person never came across that way at all. They enjoyed teaching me and encouraged my learning. This is what made me want to interview them when I received this assignment.

This person holds a formal leadership position at the hospital in which they work. I think that the difference between an informal and formal leadership position depends on having official authority in your position. For example, a charge nurse would be a formal leadership position because they are the charge nurse to lead the floor. When thinking about the difference between formal and informal leadership positions, I think it’s important to acknowledge that informal leadership is just as important as formal leadership. If the “informal” leadership positions refused to lead certain situations, it could have detrimental consequences to patient care. When interviewing this person, I am most excited to hear what they think of the difference between formal and informal leadership and how their role differs from others in the hospital.