Nursing leadership in radiology: applying the art of chaortic leadership

Abstract

The Art of Chaortic Leadership is from an article by Dee Houck that first appeared as “The Art of Chaortic Leadership” (Chapter 7) in On Mission and Leadership. Chaortic leadership is a term that highlights the link between chaos and order. It allows the class to understand the role and effect that chaos has in the field of health care and helps students to understand how you can bring about order in any chaotic situation. Chaortic leadership skills are something that every radiology nurse and nurse manager must have to understand and survive in the ever-changing chaotic world of radiology nursing. It helps you to understand the sources of chaos in radiology, your role in chaos, and steps you can take to manage chaos in your department. Even though there have been radiology nurses for over 20 years, the role of the radiology nurse is to provide stability and continuity (order) to patient care, but, in the radiology environment, we are a source of chaos unto ourselves. The presenter gave an overview of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, a 500-bed regional trauma center and a top hospital in the country according to US News and World Report. The presenter discussed chaortic leadership theory and practice that was first described by Dee Houck and showed how to apply the principles of chaortic leadership. Finally, the presenter discussed strategies for success as a radiology nurse when working in a small facility and for radiology nursing leaders whether they are supervisors of a small staff or managers of a large diagnostic and interventional department.