Applied leadership is leadership in action.  It is leading by doing, with reason and for a purpose.  It is not merely telling one what to do and waiting for them to do so, it is providing the necessary tools one needs to be successful, making a way for them to succeed and then facilitating its achievement.  In the Leadership Roles and Transition class, I researched, discussed and planned the implementation for installation of turn clocks into the rooms of at risk patients.  The purpose was to facilitate communication between hospital staff members, patients and patient family members so as to improve patient care by lessening risk for pressure injuries and improve patient outcomes.  This required that I use knowledge gained from previous classes, utilize the collaboration of a team, and deliver clear instructions.  To make my message effective, I had to back my claims with scientific evidence.  When stated claims can show demonstrated results behind them, others are more prone to pay attention and willing to follow the example.  To gain collaboration of others and be able to lead a team, I had to communicate with coworkers, management and nursing administration, demonstrate the relevance and earn the respect and support in order to follow through with implementing a new intervention. 

            Leadership is something that often follows experience in the nursing profession.  As I gain more experience in my nursing career and continue to strive to deliver safe, compassionate, evidenced based care, I will contribute to a positive team environment that will foster collaboration of all healthcare professions to yield the best possible patient outcomes.  Through the leadership learning experience, I had to earn the attention, support and backing of many stakeholders in order to successfully implement a new intervention designed to promote patient and staff well-being.  This is one example of the impact of professional collaboration but this can also be adapted to every day demonstration of leadership.  As I develop my nursing skills, I can encourage collaboration in my nursing career by working as a mentor to new graduates and help them gain confidence in their performance.  I will strive to apply leadership with all my coworkers by contributing to a positive work environment that focusses on patient centered teamwork and views all patients on the unit as everyone’s priority.  When I make the initiative to assist a team member with a complicated task or decision, it sets the example that others appreciate and naturally want to participate in.  In this type of scenario, applying leadership and collaboration, the initiator does not have to always take charge, but can enjoy seeing how the efforts made continue to promote the best, compassionate evidenced based patient care.