NURS 6051 THE NURSE LEADER AS KNOWLEDGE WORKER

Introduction

In this presentation, I will describe a knowledge worker and outline the concept of a knowledge worker. I will also define and explain nursing informatics including its core competencies. I will outline the role of a nurse leader as a knowledge worker. I will present a hypothetical scenario based on my healthcare organization that would require or benefit from the access or collection and application of data. Lastly, I will explain what knowledge might be derived from that data.

Concept of a Knowledge Worker

A knowledge worker refers to an individual whose job requires them to think for a living. The job of a knowledge worker is ever-changing, dynamic, and autonomous. It entails problem-solving and requires both convergent and divergent thinking to get a solution to all the simple and complex questions that arise in daily work activities (Turriago-Hoyos, Thoene & Arjoon, 2016). A knowledge worker is expected to be innovative, by routinely creating new and better ways of doing things.

Six major concepts of a knowledge worker

1.Knowledge worker productivity demands that he/she ask the question: “What is the task?”

2.Knowledge workers have to manage themselves as they have autonomy (Turriago-Hoyos et al., 2016).

3.Continuing innovation has to be part of the work, the task, and the responsibility of work.

4.Requires continuous learning on the part of the knowledge worker, and equally continuous teaching.

5.The productivity of the knowledge worker is based on quality and quantity (Turriago-Hoyos et al., 2016).

6.Knowledge worker productivity requires that it is both seen and treated as an “asset” rather than a “cost” (Turriago-Hoyos et al., 2016).

References

Turriago-Hoyos, A., Thoene, U., & Arjoon, S. (2016). Knowledge workers and virtues in Peter Drucker’s management theory. SAGE Open, 6(1), 2158244016639631. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016639631