Leadership Development In Nursing Education
What Is Leadership Development
Leadership development is the multifaceted process of identifying a goal, motivating other people to act, and providing support and motivation to achieve mutually negotiated goals (Porter-O'Grady, 2003). A leader's role is to encourage effective performance from others through the development of shared values, vision, and expectations to enhance the organization's planned goals and pathway to success (Feather, 2009).
Impact of Leadership Development In Nursing Education
Leadership development is paramount to the future of nursing education. An increasing need for new and innovative nursing leaders is emerging as massive retirement of nursing leaders is predicted to occur throughout the globe within the next decade. Just as nursing education is now based on evidence, leadership development must be grounded in leadership theories and frameworks (Doody & Doody, 2011, 2012). It is vital that nursing education prepares strong nursing leaders for the future of health care delivery.
The clinical environment of today is characterized by cultural diversity and increasing patient acuity, thus calling for knowledgeable nursing leaders (Perry Schoenfelder & Gaffney Valde, 2009). Traditionally, nurses have been managed by leaders who have had minimal formal leadership development. However, the work force of today is faced with unprecedented clinical care challenges that require educated nursing leaders to move and progress into the leadership roles of the future.Nursing educators must incorporate leadership development into undergraduate and graduate programs.
It is essential that the foundational knowledge of leadership theories conceptualized in terms of transactional, transformational, authentic, quantum, and servant leadership be included in all levels of nursing programs (Duygulu & Kublay , 2011), health care organizations are complex with constant daily change requiring flexible leadership to meet the many challenges. Nursing educators can facilitate the development of future nursing leaders by appealing to higher ideals and moral values when facing the challenges of complex organizations (Barbuto, 2005; Bass, 1998).
Outcomes of Leadership Development In Nursing Education
Leadership development is minimally introduced during basic nursing education and varies according to nursing program, educational setting, and country of origin. Duygulu and Kublay (2011) concluded that a focus on leadership development for unit charge nurses should be mandatory to develop strong leaders in clinical settings. In addition, transformational leadership programs had a positive impact on both the charge nurses and the unit staff nurses. Effective clinical leadership has been found to be the key to healthy, functional, and supportive work environments (Mannix, Wilkes, & Daly, 2013)
Leadership development educational programs have focused on the concept of emotional intelligence, which prepares leaders to become aware of not only their own emotions in managing staff, but in understanding the emotional level of the staff in their workday environment (Walton, 2012). Giltinane (2013) found that supportive emotional behaviors by the nursing leader were achieved by maintaining effective communication and emotional support with followers. Leaders with emotional intelligence help staff to be successful with patient care.
Ethical nursing leadership development is another realm of leadership education that is important for educators to impart on future nursing leaders for managing the complexities of today's health care issues and challenges. Expectations for ethical leadership are that individuals take responsibility to engage in ethical behavior and provide leadership in building a moral community in the clinical setting ( Storch , Makaroff , Pauly , & Newton, 2013). Ethical values should be clear and direct ethical action within the clinical environment
Mentoring leadership development programs are extremely successful in preparing nursing leaders. Kelly and Hagerman (2013) developed a 6-week mentoring program with novice and experienced nurse leaders that was successful in the preparation of new nurse leaders. Nursing educational leadership development for future nurse leaders is needed to prepare nurses for the dynamics of the evolving health care world of today and the future.
Leadership development courses and modules may be offered at colleges, universities, hospitals, and through leadership continuing education offerings. Research demonstrates that where leadership development has been taught and integrated into nursing, it has a positive impact on leadership, skills, and practice (Curtis, Sheerin, & de Vries, 2011). Nursing leadership development is the key to creating empowered nursing leaders to meet the daily struggles of the future.
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