14 | Nursing in Practice | Winter 2022
EDITORIAL
Nursing leadership is needed
now more than ever
With this winter marked by unprecedented strikes by the profession , and ongoing capacity crises in the healthcare system , nursing needs strong leadership at all levels – from within general practices all the way to the top of NHS structures
Opinion and debate on the latest issues affecting nurses in general practice and the community nursingin practice . co . uk
Carolyn Scott is editor of Nursing in Practice
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Serious challenges lie ahead for everyone this winter , and for nursing they come on top of the Carr report , with its stark messages for the leadership of the RCN .
But what ’ s happening on the ground ? We know there are too few primary care and community nurses in senior decision-making roles . There are also disproportionately too few women in senior leadership roles across the health service .
Sadly , old-fashioned hierarchies , stereotyping of female roles and career paths , and a lack of leadership training and mentorship opportunities are all too common . This needs to change .
We aim to kickstart that change with our cover feature , ‘ Climbing the leadership ladder ’ ( page 6 ). It examines why female nurses can struggle to reach the top , speaking to women from a range of nursing backgrounds about their concerns and the fight to get their voices heard . What is clear from their responses is that there is no shortage of leadership potential in the profession , but should many more women occupy top decision-making roles in the NHS ?
We know that leadership is a topic that is important to the readers of Nursing in Practice and with that in mind , this issue sees the launch of our ‘ Lessons in leadership ’ series to hear from inspirational nurses at the forefront of general practice and community nursing .
We ’ ve opened the discussion by speaking to nurses across primary High-level input from nurses care about their experiences as is vital if we are to tackle the leaders , how they see others crises threatening healthcare progressing in their careers around them and how high-level input from nurses is vital if we are to tackle the crises threatening healthcare provision in the UK .
We spoke to a director of nursing in an ICB ( page 18 ), about how nurses can approach people like her in key positions , who can show them where the opportunities lie and help get their voices heard . Her take-home message ? Don ’ t wait to be asked . That sounds like good advice .
Of course , nurses at all levels take tough decisions every day in practice , as our feature on compassionate leadership ( page 20 ) makes clear . Think about the actions you take daily as you advocate for patients and support colleagues : you are already a leader , and perhaps you have even more to offer the profession .
We will continue to seek out nurses who can inspire colleagues and whose achievements could make all the difference in uncertain times .
We plan to feature more examples of leadership in our new series . Do you have experience and expertise to share ? Would you like to nominate someone to be interviewed who has led with vigour and enthusiasm ? If so , please get in touch at carolynscott @ cogora . com