Leadership in Nursing: Theories, Characteristics, and Challenges

LEADERSHIP IN NURSING

Introduction
Leadership is the act of motivating and guiding a certain group of people towards
achieving their set objectives. Good leadership is when one sets the direction, builds and
provides an inspiring vision and end up creating a new thing. A good leader is the pacesetter in
every team.

Good leadership is essential in every sector including the healthcare. Good leadership
in management translates to a highly motivated group of employees hence better production.
For this reason, many scholars and researchers have performed studies to investigate
leadership. They have tried to break down leadership into various types and theories.

What Are Leadership Theories?
These are theories that try to give characteristics of a leader. They seek to explain why
a person might be a good leader and how to become one. They also help to identify what
behaviors a person can adopt in certain situations so as to improve his/her leadership abilities.

Examples Of Leadership Theories.
• These theories include big transformational leadership, style theory, breakthrough theory,
servant leadership among others.
• Today, the health sector demands leaders that inspire the entire population with the vision of
what can be accomplished. One of the leadership theories that go hand in hand with this is
the transformational leadership.

What Is Transformational Leadership?
This is leadership that inspires others to be the best forms of themselves. It urges
others to achieve amazing results. Transformational leaders are quiet leaders. They let their
work speak for themselves. Nurses should strive to be transformational leaders. Nurses thrive
under very strong leadership. The management affects the attitude of the nursing staff.

Characteristics Of Transformational Leaders?
They are:
• inspirational.
• good at conflict resolutions.
• Empathetic.
• Willing to make a sacrifice for others for the greater good. This is ideal for a person-centered care
• Confident.
• Providers of a safe environment for others.
• Advocators for change in the system whenever there is need.
• Maximizers of their fellow worker’s capabilities.

What Is Person-centered Care?
This is a way of thinking and doing things that sees the people using health and social
services as equal partners in planning, developing and monitoring care to make sure it meets
their needs. Person-centered care givers are empathetic and selfless.(McComark et.al,2017)