NURS FPX 4005 Assignment 1 Collaboration and Leadership Reflection

NURS FPX 4005 Assignment 1 Collaboration and Leadership Reflection

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4005 Nursing Leadership: Focusing on People, Processes, and Organizations

Prof. Name

Date

Collaboration and Leadership Reflection

Delivering high-quality, integrated care to patients with complex health needs requires more than clinical expertise—it requires collaborative, adaptive leadership. In my role as a nurse on a care planning team, I have seen firsthand how strong leadership shapes teamwork, enhances decision-making, and improves patient outcomes. This reflection explores my experience in a multidisciplinary setting, evaluates effective versus ineffective leadership in practice, and outlines strategies for enhancing both collaboration and leadership in clinical environments.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration Experience

While working a shift in the emergency department, I encountered a critical situation involving a patient with a severe asthma attack. Care was required from multiple professionals, including respiratory therapists, pharmacists, emergency physicians, and social workers. Initially, misaligned schedules and contrasting clinical opinions delayed care planning and fragmented communication. This highlighted the challenges that can emerge when interprofessional efforts are not well coordinated.

To resolve the issue, the team leader facilitated a structured interdisciplinary meeting to streamline communication and clarify care roles. As a result, the team moved toward more unified care delivery, and the patient’s condition began to stabilize. This scenario emphasized the need for proactive leadership and structured collaboration, particularly when managing acute, high-pressure cases. It also taught me that deliberate organization and communication systems can bridge professional differences and ensure consistency in care.

Effective vs. Ineffective Leadership in Collaboration

The contrast between effective and poor leadership styles is stark, particularly in collaborative healthcare environments. Competent leaders foster an inclusive atmosphere, delegate tasks based on team strengths, and promote shared goals. Their leadership is defined by transparency, responsiveness, and emotional intelligence. These qualities not only support communication but also enhance team morale and efficiency (Octavian, 2023).

In contrast, ineffective leadership creates barriers to collaboration. One incident I recall involved a supervisor who frequently disregarded nurses’ feedback during high-admission periods. Their failure to acknowledge concerns or escalate staffing needs led to delays in treatment and staff burnout. Toxic leadership—marked by dismissiveness, poor support, and undermining behaviors—damages morale and compromises patient safety (Octavian, 2023).

Table 1: Comparison of Effective and Ineffective Leadership Characteristics

Aspect	Effective Leadership	Ineffective Leadership
Communication	Transparent, two-way, inclusive	One-way, dismissive, often unclear
Delegation	Based on team strengths and workload	Unbalanced or avoided altogether
Team Culture	Supportive, collaborative, trust-based	Hostile, competitive, low morale
Response to Stress	Encourages team resilience and adaptation	Increases pressure and frustration
Outcome Impact	Improved staff satisfaction and patient outcomes	Delays in care, high turnover, compromised patient safety

Best-Practice Leadership and Collaboration Strategies

Promoting excellence in patient care depends on implementing leadership strategies that are both inclusive and strategic. Transformational leadership (TL) is particularly effective, as it emphasizes shared goals, staff empowerment, and relationship-building. Leaders practicing TL inspire innovation, encourage open dialogue, and help team members align their personal goals with the broader mission of patient-centered care (Gebreheat et al., 2023). TL also reinforces professional growth by fostering a learning environment that values reflection, feedback, and adaptability.

Equally important are structured approaches to interprofessional teamwork. For instance, the “Check-Back” method—a closed-loop communication strategy—ensures clarity and reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings in fast-paced clinical settings (Sung & Hsu, 2025). Another helpful model is Relational Coordination, which prioritizes timely and respectful communication anchored in shared knowledge and goals. Clearly defining roles and aligning team expectations can further enhance efficiency and prevent ambiguity during care delivery (House et al., 2021).

Table 2: Best-Practice Strategies for Leadership and Collaboration

Strategy	Description	Outcome
Transformational Leadership (TL)	Inspires shared vision, empowers staff, and fosters growth	Enhanced morale, innovation, and patient care
Check-Back Communication	Verbal confirmation technique to ensure message clarity	Fewer communication errors
Defined Roles and Responsibilities	Clear expectations for each team member	Improved task coordination
Relational Coordination Model	Promotes frequent, respectful communication based on shared goals	Stronger interprofessional relationships
Reflective Practice	Post-meeting discussions to assess team performance and identify areas for growth	Continuous improvement in team dynamics

Developing Leadership Style

My aspiration is to lead using transformational principles that prioritize collaboration, empathy, and shared values. Embracing TL allows me to foster inclusion and encourage diverse perspectives in team decisions. For example, actively involving staff in care planning increases buy-in and generates creative solutions to complex issues. Going forward, I intend to further develop these leadership skills through structured training, mentoring, and reflective practices after interdisciplinary meetings. These efforts will help build trust with colleagues and enhance my ability to inspire team members in delivering holistic, patient-centered care (Gebreheat et al., 2023).

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Conclusion

In complex healthcare environments, the intersection of leadership and teamwork significantly influences patient outcomes. My experiences underscore the value of structured communication and collaborative leadership in overcoming care delivery challenges. By applying evidence-based strategies—such as transformational leadership and interprofessional coordination—healthcare teams can achieve more integrated, efficient, and compassionate care. Ongoing self-reflection and a commitment to learning are essential in shaping the leadership qualities required to support both patients and team members effectively.

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References

Gebreheat, G., Teame, H., & Costa, E. (2023). The impact of transformational leadership style on nurses’ job satisfaction: An integrative review. SAGE Open Nursing, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608231197428

House, S., Wilmoth, M., & Kitzmiller, R. (2021). Relational coordination and staff outcomes among healthcare professionals: A scoping review. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 36(6), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2021.1965101

Octavian, S. M. (2023). About the impact and effects of toxic leadership on employees and organizations. European Review of Applied Sociology, 16(27), 87–93. https://doi.org/10.2478/eras-2023-0012

NURS FPX 4005 Assignment 1 Collaboration and Leadership Reflection

Sung, T.-C., & Hsu, H.-C. (2025). Improving critical care teamwork: Simulation-based interprofessional training for enhanced communication and safety. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 18, 355–367. https://doi.org/10.2147/jmdh.s500890