• Assignment 1: An Interview of Your Choice By Wednesday, November 19, 2014 complete the assignment presented below. In order to really learn about interviewing, you must practice doing interviews. There is no substitute for direct experience in learning

Introduction

(The following is a record of a dialogue with Ms Michelle Morgan, a nurse leader at Samantha Hospital New York, America. The interview was conducted on the 30th May 2013, and it covers issues of leadership in nursing)

Background and the role you have today

The health care department has been developing over the years, the health care facilities we have today are far much better than the facilities we used in the past. New ways of treating patients have come up with new technologies at hand (Wynn 2008). For instance in the 19th century, painkillers were not accepted by patients. They only accepted a few but not all patients trusted them. As a health care leader, it is my duty to ensure that all patients have access to good medical care. We are not leaving the poor behind. They are part of Americans and it is therefore their right to get good medical attention.

How would you describe a leader?

A leader is a person who has vision. A good leader not only has a vision but also has the skills to achieve the vision. In order to achieve the vision, a good leader must be committed to it. He or she must be able to endure all that come into the way of achieving the vision (Kelly 2010). For instance, in the health care field line, there are very many challenges that the leaders face. The leaders should be able to overcome it all.

What are the important qualities of a leader?

One of the most important traits of a leader is integrity. It is important for people to see that you have it in you to lead people and not because you are being driven by your ego. Lead people in the right way and not the way that benefits you only.

A leader must be a people’s person. This means that a good leader should be able to get along with many people. He or she should be able to understand that different people are unique in their own different way (Wynn 2008). A good leader should therefore be able to use these individual skills to achieve the vision.

A good leader should be positive minded. He or she should believe that everything is possible. He or she should also preach the same to his people. Lead them in the right direction in order to achieve the vision as one. Show his people where they are going wrong and directing them in the right way in order to ensure that time is not wasted and that at the end of the day, the vision is achieved (Kelly 2010).

What is your personal philosophy of leadership?

My personal philosophy as a leader is ensuring that I achieve the vision no matter what and in time. A good leader must be able to achieve the set goal in the set time. A good leader should know that time is very precious and therefore must not be wasted at any given point (Wynn 2008).

What learning experiences have had the most influence on your own personal development as a leader?

The studies of important philosophers that have made impact in people’s lives even after their death have sharpened my personal development as a leader. A philosopher Plato is a reference in many studies (Kelly 2010).

How do you see leadership evolving in nursing today?

In the past, nurses were not given as much responsibility as today. Ever since the anthrax attacks in the U.S, training nurses just as much as any other doctor in order to prepare them fully for such a case in the future has been the best way forward (Kelly 2010). This has enabled the nurses to be able to make decisions they were not able to make in the past due to their experience.

What are the most challenging issues in your current position?

The challenging issues in my positions are the group of people in the U.S who feel that immunization is not safe for their children. We immunize children in order to prevent some of the deadly diseases such as measles; they still feel that it is not safe for their children.

As a leader in your career, have you had a mentor?

Martin Luther King JR. has always been a mentor to many. He fought for the black. This is a good show to all the leaders out there. That they should fight for the rights of the people who selected them but in a peaceful way (Wynn 2008). No blood has to be shade in the name of seeking justice.

What advice would you give someone who is aspiring to a leadership position?

It is important to recognize your leadership skills and traits before deciding to be a leader. This is because unless you have them, you will not be able to make it as a leader. This is because a leader should be capable of making sound decision for everyone, decisions that will affect many.

Analysis

Before the interview, I had to request my interviewee for his permission to allow the interview and fortunately enough he agreed. I arranged a 15 minute interview with him but he made me promise that I was not going to ask him any personal questions because he was uncomfortable answering them.

References

Kelly, P. (2010). Essentials of nursing leadership & management. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning.

Wynn, M. (2008). Rising through the ranks: Leadership tools and techniques for law enforcement. New York: Kaplan Pub.