Nursing Leadership

Nursing Leadership

Introduction

Nursing requires strong, consistent and knowledgeable leaders who are visible, inspire others and support professional nursing practice. Leadership plays a pivotal role in the lives of nurses. It is an essential element for quality professional practice environments where nurses can provide quality nursing care. Key attributes of a nurse leader3 include being a(n): advocate for quality care, collaborator, articulate communicator, mentor, risk taker, role model and visionary. The chief executive nurse provides visionary leadership to his/her organization, as well as the profession of nursing, and must have the authority and resources necessary to ensure nursing standards are met. This linkage between professional practice and the operational activity of the organization leads to a greater involvement in decision-making and fosters collaboration within nursing and interdisciplinary teams. A collaborative approach contributes to quality client-centred care. It involves nurses participating in a common vision for their workplaces and being recognized for their unique contribution. Leadership is a shared responsibility. Nurses in all domains of practice and at all levels must maximize their leadership potential.7 With the collective energy of shared leadership, nurses form strong networks and relationships that ultimately result in excellence in nursing practice. To support excellence in professional practice, humanism must be restored to the work environment to help nurses feel safe, respected and valued.8 Nurses have the obligation to their clients to demand practice environments that have the organizational and human support allocations necessary for safe, competent and ethical nursing care[1]. Developing and supporting quality professional practice environments is a responsibility shared by practitioners, employers, governments, regulatory bodies, professional associations, educational institutions, unions and the public. The following principles apply wherever nursing is practised and are considered the framework for supporting quality, efficient and effective nursing services in the interest of the public. 

Theories of Leadership

There are a number of prominent leadership theories identified in relation to nursing leadership (and nursing management). These include, transformational leadership, transactional leadership, authentic leadership, contingency theory, servant leadership and others, but to a lesser degree. Of these, the most commonly sited as a theory capable of supporting nurses' insights into clinical leadership is transformational leadership.

Congruent leadership

Congruent leadership can be seen when the activities, actions and deeds of the leader are matched by and driven by a leader's values and beliefs about (in this case) care and nursing. Congruent leaders may have a vision and idea about where they want to go, but this is not why they are followed. Congruent leadership is based on the leader's values, beliefs and principles. It is about where the leader stands, not where they are going. Congruent leaders are motivational, inspirational, organized, and effective communicators and relationship builders. Congruent leaders are often found throughout an organization's structure and they are commonly not in managerial positions. For clinical leaders, who are at the bedside, based in clinics, community care environments, and hospital wards and units, congruent leadership may offer a better theoretical framework to explain how and why they function.

Transformational leadership appears to resonate with nurses who occupy positions assigned as leadership or management, where they have hierarchical power, titled positions or fulfil a leadership role as ...