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Leadership is a career skill that can be demonstrated at any level, and in a health care setting, it can be critical to delivering safe and effective patient care. For nurses, leadership encompasses everything from guiding and supporting teams to creating efficiency in systems and workflow. Effective leaders in nursing are inspirational and transformative, capable of making strategic decisions and ensuring quality care and communication with patients, families, and other stakeholders.

In this article, we will examine seven different leadership styles in nursing, exploring how each approach contributes to successful health care delivery and enhances the overall effectiveness of nursing practice.

What Do Nurses Do?

Registered nurses (RNs) are the backbone of the health care industry; providing and coordinating patient care, educating patients, and offering emotional support to them and their families. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nurses are adept at assessing patient conditions, administering treatments, collaborating with other health care professionals, operating medical equipment, and guiding post-treatment care. RNs may also specialize in areas like oncology or cardiology, work in roles such as nurse educators or consultants, or serve as clinical nurse specialists, improving care quality and taking on leadership responsibilities.

Why Is Leadership in Nursing Important?

Effective leadership in nursing can remove elements of stress from high pressure health care environments. Nurses, especially, can demonstrate leadership that impacts everything from patient care to staff retention. Here are some of the reasons why leadership is important in nursing:

  • Job satisfaction: Nursing leaders who are supportive, communicative, and provide opportunities for professional growth tend to foster higher levels of job satisfaction, which can lead to higher motivation and commitment to the role.
  • Staff retention: The best leaders show respect, recognize achievements, and create a positive work environment. When people stay with an organization, it’s a reflection of supportive leadership.
  • Patient care: Nursing leaders that prioritize patient-centered care, foster teamwork, and maintain high standards of practice contribute to a better patient experience.
  • Team collaboration: Open communication and collaborative practices are the hallmarks of effective leadership. Nursing creates opportunities for leaders to develop teamwork and cohesion throughout an organization or team.
  • Professional development: The best leaders offer their teams access to training and growth opportunities, helping them stay current with industry standards. This is essential in an ever-evolving health care sector.

What Are 7 Styles of Leadership in Nursing?

As they are often in direct contact with patients, staff, management, and other stakeholders, nurses have a tremendous impact on their work environment. Here are seven different styles of leadership in nursing, how they are characterized, and the influence they can have on an organization.

  1. Transformational leadership
    Transformational nursing leaders are charismatic, influential, and effective communicators. They inspire and motivate nurses on their teams to exceed expectations and achieve shared goals. This leadership style is associated with high job satisfaction, as it creates a supportive environment in which nurses and other staff members feel valued and empowered.
  2. Transactional leadership
    Transactional nursing leaders are committed to maintaining order and achieving organizational goals through a system of rewards and punishments. Structure, procedures, and performance metrics are part of the evaluation process. This leadership style communicates clear expectations and emphasizes efficiency but may not lead to higher levels of job satisfaction or engagement.
  3. Autocratic leadership 
    Autocratic nursing leaders make decisions independently and expect their team members to comply. In this style, it is critical to provide clear, direct instructions for teams to follow. This approach can lead to faster decision-making and tighter control over a team’s activities, but it may also lower job satisfaction, as team members have less input on overall workflow.
  4. Democratic leadership
    Democratic nursing leaders take great care to involve team members in decision-making and use their input to shape directions and policy. This leadership style fosters a sense of ownership and commitment among the team, as they see that their opinions and ideas are valued. This leadership style is associated with high levels of job satisfaction and stronger team cooperation.
  5. Laissez-faire leadership
    As the name implies, laissez-faire nursing leaders adopt a hands-off approach, allowing team members to make their own decisions and manage their own work. This leadership style can build trust and foster independence among team members, but it can also lead to confusion, requiring leaders to step in and provide more guidance.
  6. Servant leadership 
    Servant nursing leaders prioritize the needs of team members. They are attentive and focused on developing a culture of collaboration. This leadership style is associated with higher job satisfaction and a positive work environment, as nurses feel valued and supported.
  7. Authentic leadership 
    Authentic leaders are transparent, self-aware, and consistent in their actions. In nursing, these leaders can build trust with their teams and create an environment of open communication and honesty. This leadership style can create a positive work environment and higher job satisfaction, as nurses feel respected and listened to.

How to Be a Good Leader in Nursing

If you want to be an effective leader in nursing, you must cultivate essential leadership skills, including strong communication abilities, empathy, and decisiveness. Here are six leadership skill areas that employers look for in nurses, according to career website O*Net:

  1. Social perceptiveness
    Social perceptiveness means being aware of how others react to you and why. This skill helps you navigate interpersonal dynamics and address employee concerns.
  2. Active listening
    Effective nursing leaders are fully attentive when others are speaking. They are able to understand points being made, ask appropriate questions, and foster trust while serving the needs of their teams.
  3. Coordination
    Coordination skills are essential for teamwork and ensuring that all team members are working together toward shared organizational goals.
  4. Critical thinking
    Nursing leaders use logic and reasoning to reach solutions. Critical thinking is a must-have skill for making the best decisions and solving complex issues in a complex health care industry.
  5. Service orientation
    A leader who is service oriented consistently seeks out ways to help others. Nursing leaders with strong service orientation skills are committed to improving patient care and supporting their team members.
  6. Judgment and decision making
    Nursing leaders must make difficult decisions regarding patient care. It is imperative that they consider the costs and benefits of their decisions, as they will impact patient outcomes and the organization’s goals.

Leadership skills can be taught in both academic and professional environments, and nursing education encourages both. According to O*Net, the nursing profession may require a bachelor’s degree, a post-secondary certificate, or an associate’s degree, depending on the specific requirements of the job.

What Are Some Examples of Leadership in Nursing?

According to Indeed, leadership in nursing encompasses a variety of essential skills and qualities that help drive effective patient care and team performance. Here are eight examples of leadership in nursing:

  1. Compassion and empathy
    These qualities are crucial for understanding and assisting both patients and colleagues. The ability to demonstrate compassion and empathy can enhance training, team communication, and help reduce stress among team members.
  2. Integrity
    Trustworthiness is paramount for nursing leaders, especially when they are making critical decisions that affect patient health. Leaders show integrity by modeling ethical behavior and supporting their teams.
  3. Commitment to excellence 
    A nursing leader sets high standards for patient care and fosters a commitment to quality and safety.
  4. Collaboration and team building
    Nursing leaders create a collaborative environment and sense of community, while managing conflicts through clear communication and teamwork.
  5. Mentorship and teaching 
    These are hallmarks of leadership, and nurses can play a crucial role in training others to meet organizational and team standards.
  6. Delegation
    Nursing leaders know the strengths and weaknesses of their team members, and they are comfortable delegating tasks.
  7. Technology proficiency 
    With the health care industry’s increasing reliance on technology, nursing leaders must stay updated on the latest tools to use them and train others.
  8. Open-mindedness 
    In any industry, the best leaders embrace change and can be adaptable to new policies. This is imperative in health care, where rules and regulations can change frequently.

How Do You Demonstrate Leadership in Nursing?

If you aspire to hold a leadership position, you can use your academic and professional experience to lay a foundation for your future success. Mastering the aforementioned skills, while also taking initiative and being a role model for best practices, can put you in a position to potentially be noticed by management.

Summary: 7 Leadership Styles in Nursing, Which One Are You?

Effective leadership in nursing is integral to delivering high-quality patient care and fostering a positive work environment. There are seven key leadership styles: transformational, transactional, autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire, servant, and authentic. Each offers a unique approach to managing and inspiring nursing teams. To become a leader in nursing, you must first develop the essential skills, including social perceptiveness, active listening, coordination, and critical thinking. These skills, learned through education and work experience, will enhance your effectiveness and lead to better patient outcomes.

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Applicants to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Arizona Global Campus must have earned a nursing (hospital) diploma or associate degree in Nursing from an approved accredited college or university including the following coursework or equivalent: Microbiology (with lab). Applicants must possess an active, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse or its equivalent in at least one U.S. state. All students must maintain this licensure throughout the program of study.

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