What is the Defining Moment of Experiential Education for a Novice Nurse?

The learning curve based upon clinical experience that affects growth in the new nurse’s ability to make independent critical decision, is thought to include the development of epistemological inclination (2007). Epistemological development as, “…part of intellectual development and is concerned with the individual’s belief about knowledge-who has it and where is comes from”, thereby, causing the individual to move toward more complex and complete intellectual understanding (2007). Up until this shining moment, new nurses often lack the confidence, not believing that they possess the knowledge and ability to act autonomously, and be accountable for what they know to make appropriate and professional critical judgment. In a study using newly graduated nursing students, it was concluded that after six months, new working graduates reported an increased level of confidence, and were beginning to feel at ease with their own perception of a patient’s status, rather than needing to have their actions reinforced by the opinion of a more experienced colleague (2007). Personal confidence will, as well, translate the level of clinical competency the nurse has developed and is communicated by an assurance of skill performance, as well as a positive attitude towards each task.

How do new working grads make the grade?

What are the qualities of leadership that we expect from nursing professionals?

The Relationship between Leadership and Empowerment

Changing structure and reorganization within the (Canadian) healthcare system due to higher demographic demand, increased costs and the ongoing shortage of doctors and nurses, create a unique environment of leadership even for entry-level nurses (Brancato, 2007). Nursing professionals are the vanguards of modern healthcare delivery, managing each domain, directing and educating the public on disease prevention and knowledge regarding alternative community healthcare resources. In order to make the most of this professional capacity, nurses need to grow and mature, not only in their practice, but in an innate sense of feeling empowered to evoke change by generating a positive influence, not only in the lives of their patients, but in the climate of national healthcare. Nurses who have developed a healthy autonomy in the working environment, “…participate in activities and decision making that supports an equitable sharing of power, as well as demonstrating improvement of quality and cost effectiveness of healthcare delivery” (Brancato, 2007). By comparison, the nurse who is powerless is an underdeveloped and ineffective resource in any healthcare domain (2007). However, the archaic posture of male domination in professional circles, in addition to what is described as a Florence Nightingale apprenticeship approach to education, “…tends to produce nurses who do as they are told, adding to a stereotype and submissive status of the traditional, and yet so-called professional female role” (2007).

How does the nurse development empowerment in order to become a leader in the workplace?

What is nursing leadership in today's healthcare environment?

Leadership has been eloquently defined as “an interpersonal process for influencing the actions of others by setting the pace and direction for change” (Feltner et al, 2008).

Nursing leadership is recognized as a political medium through which guidelines of nursing practice can be influenced and shaped (2008) Although, it is not always necessary to be recognized as a professional lobbyist; in fact, very few nurses will actually become political representatives of their professional organizations, lobbying for legislative reform by formal appeal to provincial government level authority. However, nurses providing care in the many areas of professional employment across Canada, can and do greatly influence change, as well as the quality and experience of healthcare recipients.


What is the quality of your experience with healthcare professionals? Have nurses met your expectations in their ability to direct effective measures of care?