This analysis will review the leadership and organizational style at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO. Poudre Valley Hospital located in Colorado is a magnet hospital consistently aspiring for excellence in health care delivery. PVH is considered a leading source of healthcare for residents living in northeastern CO and outlying regions including southern Wyoming and western Kansas (AHA, 2003). PVH is nationally known as a Magnet hospital awarded for its nursing excellence via the American Nurses Credentialing Center (AHA, 2003). Nursing director's work directly with general managers in the organization to ensure the success of the organization. The nursing director is considered a pivotal person in the development of positive nursing roles and a positive nurse team (AHA, 2003). In this organizational structure the director of nursing serves at the executive level of the organization (AHA, 2003). The director of nursing reports directly to the CEO. The organizational structure includes a top down style of leadership combined with a transformational or participative management style that encourages communication at all levels of the organization.

             Within PVH, decentralized department structures exist allowing nursing staff to feel more in control of their working environment and to become more involved in the day-to-day management affairs of the hospital. There are multiple committee structures set up to enable greater participation among nursing staff. .

             The management style adopted by the director of nursing includes a participative management style, which allows for greater nurse involvement at each level of the organization (AHA, 20030. Participation is not only actively sought after but also encouraged and easily accessed. Communication is key in this organizational structure and management style. .

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             Leadership Theory in Healthcare.

             Lanza (1997) cites several researchers suggesting that leadership in the healthcare environment must empower nurses and staff to carry out job functions in a participative and autonomous fashion (Curtin, 1995).