There is heightened demand for skilled nurse leaders, particularly as the healthcare system works to adapt to shifting cultural norms, increased patient expectations, and ongoing staffing shortages. With this said, for those interested in pursuing an administrative nursing position, now is an ideal time to begin learning more about the most effective nursing leadership styles.
Understanding Nursing Leadership
Nurse leaders often work in senior-level healthcare positions, yet they do much more than merely manage administrative and supervisory tasks. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), strong nurse leaders are able to improve operational efficiency, reduce healthcare costs, improve staff acquisition and retention, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
The Role of Nurse Leaders in Shaping Healthcare
The role of leadership in nursing continues to evolve along with the healthcare industry at large. Thus, the nurse leaders of tomorrow will have incredible opportunities to shape the healthcare system into one that is more equitable, efficient, and effective.
Improving Patient Care
The ANA notes that a nurse leader can be any nurse who serves as a role model within their healthcare organization. Nurse leaders, through their actions and passion for their positions, can advocate for improved patient care, implement higher safety standards, and improve outcomes through policy development and staff training.
Staff Development and Retention
At a time when turnover rates remain high in the healthcare field, nurse leaders play a pivotal role in improving overall morale among staff as well as attracting and retaining top talent. Nurse leaders can improve staff development and retention through mentorship, training and professional development, and fostering a supportive work environment.
Healthcare Policy and Advocacy
Nurse leaders may not spend as much time directly caring for patients, but they have greater opportunities to advocate for patient health and well-being both within their own organizations and at the governmental level. Many nurse leaders work with policy developers to advocate for patient rights, accessibility, and healthcare reform.
Technology and Innovation
The most intuitive and forward-thinking nurse leaders work to leverage the power of advanced technology in order to improve practices, enhance patient care, and elevate operational efficiency. In addition to identifying technologies that can improve their facility, nurse leaders also should create training opportunities to ensure a smooth transition.
Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing
Leadership roles and management functions in nursing are essential to the success of any healthcare facility—regardless of its size, scope, or specialization. According to Indeed, some of the top leadership roles and management functions in nursing include:
- Implementing practice standards and workplace policies
- Establishing short-term and long-term goals for the organization
- Developing a schedule and delegating tasks among the departments
Leadership Roles in Nursing
There is a wide range of leadership roles in nursing available, allowing nurses to pursue leadership positions that align with their interests, passions, professional experience, and nursing specialty.
Below are some of the most common leadership roles in nursing:
Nurse Manager
A nurse manager is frequently responsible for planning and overseeing a nurse team within a healthcare facility. For example, a nurse manager may work in a specific hospital unit or be employed at a physician’s office.
Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
A clinical nurse leader, or CNL, is a nurse leader who still works closely with patients, often guiding nurses at the point of care. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, CNLs are responsible for coordinating patient care, monitoring patient outcomes, performing risk assessment, and implementing evidence-based care strategies.
Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
A chief nursing officer, or CNO, is an executive-level nursing position that is becoming increasingly common in healthcare organizations. According to the American Nurses Association, a CNO is responsible for overseeing and managing the entire nursing practice at a healthcare organization, making this both a challenging and rewarding nurse leadership position.
Nurse Educator
A nurse educator is a nurse who transitions out of the clinical setting and focuses more on the education and development of practicing nurses. Nurse educators are in high demand, particularly as healthcare organizations work to attract and retain the most skilled and qualified nurses.
Nurse Administrator
A nurse administrator may still work in the clinical setting, but they do not often work directly with patients. Instead, they focus on administrative tasks like scheduling staff, creating and implementing professional development programs, and monitoring patient outcomes.
Management Functions in Nursing
Regardless of their individual position or title, most nurse leaders are responsible for the following management functions:
- Planning: Nurse leaders must be able to develop strategic plans that allow their organizations to reach both short-term and long-term goals.
- Organizing: Nurse leaders are responsible for organizing staff schedules, coordinating professional development, and maintaining patient records.
- Staffing: Nurse leaders need to effectively manage their teams while creating a supportive environment that promotes staff retention.
- Directing: Nurse leaders are responsible for delegating tasks and directing nurses accordingly, ensuring that patient safety and well-being is always the highest priority.
- Monitoring: Nurse leaders must collect and evaluate data in order to ensure that patient experiences and outcomes continue to improve.
Types of Leadership in Nursing
Many nurse leaders find that they align with a specific leadership style. According to the ANA, these are some of the most well-known leadership styles in nursing:
Transformational Leadership
Transformational leaders are often described as inspiring and motivational. Nurses who identify as transformational leaders might rely heavily on mentoring programs, and they are able to easily promote innovation and positive change in healthcare facilities.
Transactional Leadership
The transactional leadership style is best for organized nurse managers who must implement structured policies, procedures, and reward systems. Transactional leaders are naturals at maintaining compliance with professional standards and guidelines.
Servant Leadership
With an emphasis on serving others, the servant leadership style is quite common among nurse leaders. Servant nurse leaders prioritize both staff and patient needs and are able to cultivate a supportive, nurturing work environment.
Democratic Leadership
The democratic leadership style in nursing works well for nurse leaders who are managing a team. Democratic leaders tend to seek input from their staff, giving nurses a sense of ownership in their work.
Autocratic Leadership
Autocratic leadership can be characterized by centralized decision-making and strict control. While nurse leaders may not want to rely exclusively on the autocratic leadership style, it may be necessary in the types of crisis situations that occur in healthcare settings.
Key Leadership Skills in Nursing
Whether you want to work as a nurse administrator at a hospital or are more interested in becoming a nurse educator, you should develop and hone these key leadership skills in nursing:
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Clear and effective communication is crucial, especially in healthcare settings where the livelihood of patients is on the line. By actively working to improve your communication and interpersonal skills, you can develop better relationships with your staff, patients, and other key stakeholders.
Critical Thinking and Decision-Making
Nurses often look to their supervisors and managers for guidance as they navigate complex situations with patients. Nurse leaders must be able to think critically and analytically as they assess these situations so they can provide their staff members with informed and accurate direction.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence plays a pivotal part in today’s healthcare roles. Nurse leaders must be able to cultivate a positive work environment—one in which their nurses feel heard and supported—as the mental burden of nursing is leading to increased rates of burnout across the industry. In addition, nurse leaders should always remain empathetic to the feelings and experiences of their patients, as this is key to improving patient satisfaction ratings and outcomes.
Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
Conflict is inevitable, particularly in healthcare settings where the stakes are high. Nurse leaders must be able to navigate conflicts constructively and negotiate fair, effective solutions that benefit all parties involved.
Change Management
Change has become the norm in the dynamic healthcare industry of today, and nurse leaders need to effectively guide their staff through change in a way that reduces fear and maintains order within the organization.
The Impact of an MSN in Nursing Administration
A master’s degree in nursing can equip you with the advanced knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a nursing leadership position. However, an MSN in nursing administration can prepare you for more specialized administrative roles.
Preparation for Leadership Roles
By focusing on advanced clinical knowledge, management skills, and administrative expertise, the master’s degree in nursing administration program prepares graduates for nursing leadership positions. Along with traditional coursework, this program weaves practical experiences into the curriculum (such as internships, practicums, and capstone projects) that provide real-world exposure.
Career Opportunities
An MSN in nursing administration prepares graduates with the skills needed for many of the top leadership positions in nursing, giving you an opportunity to elevate your career and grow as a nurse.
Earn Your Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration at Baker College
Administrative skills embody some of the most important leadership proficiencies in nursing. If you are interested in nursing management positions, consider a specialized master’s degree program that prepares you for the top nursing leadership roles. At Baker College, we offer a master’s in nursing administration that allows students to develop a deeper understanding of today’s complex healthcare landscape. Our rigorous, skills-based curriculum helps you build the practical, clinical, and technical skills needed to become an inspiring, impactful nurse leader. Request more information about our master’s degree in nursing administration today.