DIRECTING AND LEADING CHARACTERISTICS OF DIRECTING
1. Directing initiate action
2. Continuing function
DIRECTING 3. Directing takes place at every level
The issuance of orders, assignments, 4. Directing flows from top to bottom
and instructions that enable the nursing 5. Performance oriented
personnel to understand what are 6. Human element
expected of them.
Includes supervision and guidance so ELEMENTS OF DIRECTING
that in doing their jobs well, nurses can i. Delegation
maximally contribute to the ii. Utilizing/Revising/Updating Nursing
organization's goals in general and to Service
the objectives of nursing service in iii. Policies and Procedures
particular iv. Supervision
Actuates efforts to accomplish goals v. Motivation
The connecting link between organizing vi. Communication
for work and getting the job done vii. Coordination
Planning -Organizing – Directing – viii. Ethical Decision Making
Controlling ix. Conflict Management
Must be complete, understandable and
given in a logical order
THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF
SUPERVISION
IMPORTANCE AND PURPOSES "supervise" - comes from the word
Too many directions given at one time supervide which means "to oversee or
often result in confusion and poor view directly"
performance Result: attainment of a service that is
Written directions prevent both efficient and effective
misunderstandings. The workers can Supervision is providing guidelines for
always refer back to these when the accomplishment of a task or activity
needed. with initial direction and periodic
Allowing staff members to ask questions inspection of the actual accomplishment
to clarify the aspects of the directions of the task or activity
that are not completely understood. The active process of directing, guiding,
Legal suits or accidents often arise when and
workers perform procedures influencing the outcome of a person's
incompetently or when they commit performance of an activity
mistakes resulting in injuries to patients. Appraises not only the quantity and
Clear directions, follow-up, and quality of work performed, but also the
supervision help maintain quality of time within which work is accomplished,
work. the proper and economic utilization of
Giving directions in a courteous manner resources, the amount of assistance
encourages cooperation, interest, and needed by the worker, and the need for
better performance in their jobs. staff development or continuing
education programs.
PRINCIPLES (+) legal implications that pertain to
1. Select the right person to whom the job is delegation and supervision
to be delegated. The nurse who delegates is responsible
2. Delegate both interesting and for the acts of the subordinate and may
uninteresting tasks. incur liability if found negligent in the
3. Provide subordinates with enough time process of delegating and supervising
to learn. Doctrine of respondeat superior which
4. Delegate gradually. means "let the superior answer for the
5. Delegate in advance. acts of the subordinate"
6. Consult before delegating.
7.Avoid gaps and overlaps.
PURPOSES q Firmness with flexibility to adjust to
1. Enables the higher executives to the needs of the situation
concentrate on planning, directing, and q Fairness in dealing with employees
related functions Familiarity with hospital and
2. Aims at improving the staff efforts nursing policies that affect patient
individually and collectively care
3. Enables to find our shortcomings and q Good decision-making skills
finds remedy for such things q Willingness to grow and develop
4. Ensures fuller use of working hours and q Ability to accept changes and
manpower consider them as challenges
5. Wastage is avoided by proper supervision q Dignified and pleasing personality
q Ability to motivate employees and
PRINCIPLES OF GOOD SUPERVISION provide opportunities for
Requires adequate planning and continuing professional growth and
organization which facilitate development
cooperation, coordination, and q Advocacy for nurses and nursing
synchronization of services.
Gives autonomy to workers depending BASES OF SUPERVISION
on their competency, personality, and Doctrine of Respondeat Superior
commitment. Fosters the ability of each If the task is delegated to a competent
worker to think and act for worker and the latter commits a
himself/herself. mistake, then the latter is accountable
Creates an atmosphere of cordiality and his/her actions or performance
trust. Creates a suitable environment Delegator is accountable for the
for productive work. assessment of the situation, supervision,
Stimulates the worker's ambition to follow-up, intervention, and corrective
grow into effectiveness. Provides for action
opportunities and incentives for staff Supervision means personally
education and continuous professional observing a function or activity,
grants and development. providing leadership in the process of
Considers the strengths and weaknesses nursing care, delegating functions or
of employees. activities while retaining
Strives to make the unit an effective accountability, evaluating an ensuring
learning situation. Promotes a teaching- that the nursing care provided is
learning environment where learners adequate and delivered appropriately
are stimulated to exercise critical The patient's safety should NEVER be
thinking and creativity especially in compromised
patient care. Supervisors should bring to
Considers equal distribution of work management's attention concerns that
considering age,physical condition, and affect quality nursing care such as
competence. Ensures that no one is inadequate staffing and resources
overburdened or given unreasonable
pressure to achieve results as these
cause demoralization and low morale. TECHNIQUES IN SUPERVISION
Observation of the worker while making
TYPES OF SUPERVISION the rounds
i. Autocratic/Authoritative Spot checking of charts through nursing
ii. Democratic/Participative/ audits
Consultative Asking the patients about the care they
iii. Laissez Faire/Permissive/UItraliberal receive
Looking into general condition of the
METHODS OF SUPERVISION units
Good supervision requires: Getting feedback from co-Workers or
q Good technical, managerial, and other supervisors or relatives
human relation skills Asking in the wards
q Ability to communicate well in both Drawing out suggestions from the
spoken and written language ability workers for improvement of their work
to listen or work situation
TOOLS IN SUPERVISION
q Performance Planning Meeting
q Continuous Feedback, Coaching, and
Development
q Annual Performance Review
