Leading-Following in the Context of Rural Nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Innovation
• Professional Practice

Background:

• The concept of leading-following, as defined by Parse, emphasizes deliberate innovation and persistent pursuit of excellence.
• This leadership paradigm requires commitment, risk-taking, ambiguity tolerance, respect for others, and vigilance.
• A societal bond exists with nurses, expecting comprehensive care for individuals, families, and communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the essence of leading-following within the nursing profession.
• To examine how Parse's definition of leading-following applies to nursing practice.
• To highlight the unrealized potential for meaning-creation in healthcare through nursing leadership.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of Parse's leading-following theory.
• Application of theoretical concepts to the nursing context.
• Exploration of the nurse-patient-community relationship dynamics.

Main Results:

• Leading-following is characterized by indivisible, unpredictable, and ever-changing co-creation.
• Key processes include commitment, risk-taking, ambiguity, respect, and vigilance.
• Nursing holds significant, yet largely untapped, potential for creating meaning in healthcare.

Conclusions:

• The leading-following model offers a framework for nurses to innovate and excel.
• Embracing the core tenets of leading-following can enhance nursing's role in healthcare.
• Nurses can actively shape and create meaning within the healthcare landscape through this approach.