While leadership is a core pillar of advanced practice, it can be difficult for clinicians to identify in their own practice. In health and social care, the challenge is for practitioners to translate this pillar into practice and unlock their full potential as leaders. For leadership to flourish in advanced practice, it is essential to increase its recognition from the perspective of the individual and throughout an organisation. This article aims to challenge conventional notions of leadership by exploring the who, what and why in ‘taking the lead’, and offering a practical perspective for individual application. It recognises the unique challenges faced in health and social care settings, and emphasises the importance of candour and open dialogue as a means to embody leadership. Clinicians are encouraged to identify and cultivate their leadership skills through introspection and practical implementation. Advanced practice, synonymous with change, provides a network of emerging leaders capable of driving change through diverse and innovative approaches. Embracing the opportunities of advanced practice requires a movement to challenge traditional leadership paradigms, necessitating vision and compassion.
Mellors, Emma
Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery
Year of publication: 2023Date of RADAR deposit: 2023-12-19
"'This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in International Journal for Advancing Practice, copyright © MA Healthcare, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.12968/ijap.2023.1.3.129.'"