Leadership Analysis: Sheila Barcimo As A Charge Nurse

“A leader is the person who influences and guides direction, opinion, and course of action. Leaders are in the front, moving forward, taking risks, and challenging the status quo (Marquis & Huston, 2012).” I had the pleasure of observing and interviewing Sheila Barcimo, who is a charge nurse on the DOU unit at Beverly Hospital in Montebello, CA.

Background Sheila Barcimo had a passion for nursing ever since she can remember. Coming from a household full of nurses greatly influenced her decision in becoming a nurse. In 2007, she graduated and received her license to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). After graduating, she started the nursing program ironically at West Coast University. While in school, she worked as a home health nurse. Sheila visited patients and did one-on-one 8-hr shifts providing care to children and adults on ventilators. After becoming a Registered Nurse (RN), she continued to do home health visits. On February 2012, she began working as a RN at Beverly Hospital on the Telemetry unit. In May 2014, she transferred to DOU as floor nurse. Currently, as a charge nurse in the DOU unit she is held accountable for 1 unit secretary, 2 CNA’s, 4-6 RN’s (depending on the patient census).

Leadership Style

According to Marquis & Huston (2012), “Democratic leadership is appropriate for groups who work together for extended periods, promotes autonomy and growth in individual workers.” Overall, she had a strong connection with her staff and included them in the decision-making process. Throughout the duration of my time shadowing Sheila, I noticed that her leadership role varied when interacting with nurses who were older and more experienced. She treated them with more independence and autonomy. Perhaps it was due to the fact that she has not been on the DOU unit that long or maybe she felt intimidated by the older nurses—that will still remain a