Professional skills for nurses and other health professionals: Contexts and capability of practice

The dynamic and evolving healthcare systems of the twenty-first century require healthcare professionals to be cognisant of the various influences on their capabilities and contexts of practice. This chapter provides insights into some of these influences to assist you to develop an understanding of how the 'big-picture' influences can shape the practice settings or practice contexts in which you work on a day-to-day basis. Initially, the structure and function of organisations and their organisational cultures will be discussed, along with the important components of professional communication, being part of an effective team and the influence of emotional intelligence on practice capability. It is also important to know and understand the application of the terms leadership and management when applied in a healthcare setting, including the significance of appreciating the concept of clinical leadership, which forms an important link to a health professional's scope of practice and their capacity to influence practice and patient outcomes. These threads continue throughout the chapter, with the linking of leadership, scope of practice, quality initiatives and evidence-informed practice (EIP).