→ Prompts, self-assessment tools, and structure tips for success
? What Is a Leadership Reflection Paper?
In NURS-6053N-36, you’ll be asked to explore your growth as a leader within healthcare systems. A leadership reflection paper is a personal yet academic exercise that connects your experiences, self-awareness, and future goals to nursing leadership concepts like transformational leadership, emotional intelligence, interprofessional collaboration, and more.
? Purpose of the Assignment
- To assess your current leadership strengths and areas for improvement
- To connect course theories (e.g., change models, leadership styles) to your real-life nursing practice
- To reflect on your role in teamwork, communication, and patient outcomes
? Suggested Structure
1. Introduction
- Brief overview of what leadership means to you in nursing
- State the purpose of your reflection
- Introduce a guiding question (e.g., “How have I grown as a nurse leader?”)
2. Leadership Self-Assessment
- Use a tool like the Gallup CliftonStrengths, Emotional Intelligence (EQ-i 2.0), or a course-provided rubric
- Discuss strengths and leadership style (e.g., democratic, transformational)
- Mention a real or hypothetical experience that reflects these traits
3. Areas for Growth
- Reflect on a challenging experience (e.g., conflict management, delegation, communication gaps)
- Identify how you could improve based on leadership theories
- Link to specific concepts from NURS-6053N (e.g., systems thinking, change leadership)
4. Application to Practice
- How will your leadership influence patient care, interprofessional teamwork, or change implementation?
- Tie it to course concepts like Lewin’s Change Model, complex adaptive systems, or organizational culture
5. Conclusion
- Summarize your leadership identity and goals
- Commit to one or two actionable steps for improvement
- End with a statement about your future impact as a nurse leader
? Reflection Prompts to Guide Your Writing
Use these prompts as journal-style questions or paragraph starters:
- What leadership qualities do I naturally display in group settings?
- How do I handle conflict or pressure in clinical environments?
- Have I ever influenced positive change, even in small ways?
- What kind of leader do I aspire to be?
- How have feedback or self-assessments shaped my understanding of leadership?
? Self-Assessment Tools You Can Use
| Tool | What It Measures | How It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Gallup StrengthsFinder | Core leadership strengths | Helps define your dominant leadership traits |
| Emotional Intelligence Scale (EQ) | Self-awareness, empathy, regulation | Crucial for managing teams and patient emotions |
| ANA Leadership Competency Framework | Nurse-specific leadership domains | Aligns reflection with professional standards |
| Course Rubrics | Assignment-specific competencies | Keeps your reflection focused and relevant |
✍️ Writing Tips for Success
- Use the first person (e.g., “I realized that…”) while maintaining professional tone
- Support personal insights with course readings or peer-reviewed sources
- Stay honest—reflection papers reward self-awareness, not perfection
- Include specific examples from your clinical, academic, or professional life
- Use APA format for citations and references, even in reflective work
? Final Thoughts: Reflect, Don’t Just Report
Your leadership reflection isn’t just a grade—it’s a tool for lifelong growth. In NURS-6053N-36, you’re being asked to look inward and think forward. What kind of nurse leader do you want to be—and how will you get there?
By blending self-awareness with academic insight, you’ll develop not just a strong paper, but a vision for leadership in nursing that’s uniquely yours.