NR 705 Week 6

NR 705 Week 6

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-705: DNP Project & Practicum II

Prof. Name

Date

Week 6

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is equipped to take on advanced leadership and management roles within healthcare systems. These capabilities are vital, as future nurse executives must effectively lead teams, allocate resources efficiently, and foster collaboration to ensure safe, high-quality, and cost-effective patient care. Strong leadership empowers DNPs to implement evidence-based practices, enhance clinical outcomes, and drive organizational success.

As a DNP student, I understand that leadership competencies are fundamental to my professional growth and the success of my project. Key strengths such as self-awareness, self-management, and communication allow me to inspire teams, address challenges, and engage stakeholders effectively. However, I also recognize time management as an area for improvement and remain committed to continuous learning and skill refinement.

Leadership Skills as a DNP

Self-Awareness and Self-Management

Self-awareness is one of the most valuable leadership attributes because it enables individuals to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and the effects of their behavior on others (Friedman et al., 2021). Through reflection and self-assessment, I can evaluate how my choices impact interprofessional collaboration and patient outcomes.

Self-management complements this by ensuring I can regulate emotions, adapt to changing healthcare settings, and utilize my strengths effectively. These abilities foster trust and positive working relationships among colleagues. By applying self-awareness and self-management, I can engage stakeholders, reduce resistance to change, and promote the adoption of evidence-based practices.

Communication Skills

Effective communication serves as a cornerstone of strong leadership. As a DNP leader, I must clearly articulate goals, expectations, and responsibilities to ensure all team members understand their roles. Clear communication supports collaboration, enhances satisfaction among patients and stakeholders, and reduces misunderstandings.

Additionally, active listening and open dialogue ensure that the voices of patients, staff, and administrators are acknowledged and valued in project initiatives. This inclusive approach encourages shared ownership, improves team cohesion, and contributes to successful project implementation.

Time Management

While I demonstrate strengths in leadership and communication, I acknowledge that time management remains a developmental area. My current ability to prioritize competing tasks is moderate, but I am actively seeking ways to enhance my efficiency.

To improve, I plan to create structured schedules, prioritize tasks by importance and urgency, and use digital tools such as task management applications, shared calendars, and reminders. Furthermore, I intend to participate in professional workshops focused on time management to gain advanced strategies for productivity and workload balance.

Table 1

Summary of Leadership Skills

Leadership Skill	Current Competency	Application in DNP Role	Planned Improvement
Self-Awareness & Self-Management	Strong	Promotes trust, collaboration, and sound decision-making	Continue self-reflection, integrate peer feedback, and apply mindfulness strategies
Communication	Strong	Enhances stakeholder engagement, ensures role clarity, and improves team performance	Adopt structured methods such as SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation)
Time Management	Moderate	Helps balance competing priorities and ensures efficient project execution	Utilize scheduling tools, take online workshops, and maintain task diaries

Role of the Preceptor

The role of the preceptor in advanced practice education closely mirrors that of a mentor in a professional partnership—one that fosters mutual growth and development. During my proposal development process, my preceptor provided invaluable feedback, suggested alternative perspectives, and cultivated a supportive academic environment.

Her insights enhanced the theoretical and methodological aspects of my project, while her timely and constructive feedback helped me apply necessary revisions effectively. Moreover, her nonjudgmental and encouraging approach strengthened my confidence and motivated me to persist through challenges.

NR 705 Week 6

Beyond her formal role as a preceptor, she became a mentor and role model whose professional accomplishments illustrated the importance of perseverance and excellence. Her extensive experience in clinical and academic settings emphasized the transformative potential of DNP-prepared nurses to influence patient care and elevate the nursing profession.

Her consistent focus on scholarly inquiry and evidence-based practice reinforced the importance of research as a foundation for improving healthcare systems. Ultimately, her mentorship has profoundly shaped my professional development by offering motivation, guidance, and a clear vision for future leadership in nursing.

References

Friedman, A., Hancock, B., & Thompson, P. A. (2021). Data-based self-awareness as the foundation for effective leadership. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 51(10), 478–480. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000001057

NR 705 Week 6