Nursing leadership and management are essential for carrying out the mission and vision of a healthcare organization and inspiring the nursing staff to adhere to high standards of patient care. Leaders and managers can support a safety-minded, positive work culture and better patient outcomes.
While every industry can benefit from it, competent leadership and management in nursing are particularly important. In nursing, leaders establish the mission and vision and influence the quality and delivery of care. There is, however, a slight distinction between nursing leadership and management. Nurse managers are always leaders, but not all nurse leaders are managers. A nurse leader can hold various titles, and every nurse has the potential to exhibit leadership qualities.
The University of St. Thomas’ Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program aims to instill in our students the values needed to become nursing leaders. Throughout every aspect of our program, from online courses to clinical rotations at nearby hospitals, our ABSN students are taught to approach each situation with our primary mission in mind: think critically, communicate effectively, succeed professionally, and lead ethically.
As you prepare to become a registered nurse (RN), take a closer look at what comprises nursing leadership and management. Consider nurse leader roles and leadership styles and start planning your own career trajectory with an eye toward serving as an ethical leader.
What Is Nursing Leadership and Management?
Nurse leaders often hold job titles that grant them a supervisory or administrative role, such as a charge nurse. Any type of nurse has the potential to demonstrate leadership qualities in nursing, however, including RNs without a supervisory job title.
Leadership is about demonstrating behaviors and actions that set a positive example for others. Ideally, a nurse leader:
- Adheres to high standards of personal conduct and professionalism.
- Encourages professional development.
- Guides others to elevate the standard of care.
- Motivates others to reach their full potential.
- Prioritizes nursing excellence.
What Is a Nurse Manager?
A nurse manager is different from a medical and health services manager. A nurse manager is an RN or an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who, at some facilities, may continue to provide some bedside care alongside their managerial duties. The role of a nurse manager is to:
- Align their nursing unit’s operations with the facility’s overall mission and goals.
- Manage human resources and finances within their assigned nursing unit.
- Oversee operations.
- Supervise nursing personnel.
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Nursing Leadership Styles
One common misconception regarding nursing leadership styles is that every leader will exhibit only one specific leadership style. While this can be true, it isn’t universally applicable. In fact, some nurse leaders may use different leadership styles according to the needs of different situations and team members. The key is to identify what any given situation requires and respond accordingly.
Some of the most common nursing leadership styles include the following:
- Autocratic: An autocratic nurse leader doesn’t solicit input from team members but rather makes solo decisions and delegates responsibilities quickly. This leadership style tends to work well in fast-paced settings, such as trauma centers and emergency medical evacuation flights.
- Democratic: A democratic nurse leader is the opposite of an autocratic nurse leader. The democratic leader seeks and carefully considers input from team members before making collaborative decisions. Democratic nurse leaders are typically effective at elevating the standard of care and empowering fellow nurses.
- Transformational: New nurses can benefit from working with a transformational nurse leader, as these leaders focus on developing their team members’ strengths to enhance theireffectiveness as clinicians. Transformational nurse leaders often function as mentors for their peers.
Essential Leadership Skills in Nursing
Nurse leaders are expected to have strong nursing competencies, including a solid track record of patient safety and an unwavering commitment to nursing excellence. Beyond clinical skills, they can also benefit from leadership skills in nursing, including the following:
- Accountability,
- Collaboration,
- Communication skills,
- Critical thinking,
- Cultural competence,
- Emotional intelligence, and
- Professional ethics.
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Why Do Nursing Leadership and Management Matter?
The nursing work environment must support professionals who are committed to delivering the highest quality patient care. Nursing leadership and management are essential for accomplishing this for the following reasons:
Positive Work Environment
An effective nurse leader cultivates a positive and supportive work environment. They advocate for needed resources for their unit, always exhibit professionalism, and encourage positive interpersonal interactions.
Staff Morale and Job Satisfaction
Everyone benefits when a nursing unit can rely upon competent nurse leadership. Leaders ensure that other nurses feel more supported at work, which improves satisfaction and staff morale and decreases the turnover rate.
Safety-Minded Work Culture
Safety is critically important in nursing, so patient safety must be a top concern for all nurses. Nurse leaders can focus on safety and work toward improving care delivery while also advocating for safer working conditions for their fellow nurses.
Professional Development
Another benefit of competent nursing leadership is that influential nurse leaders support ongoing education and professional development. For example, they may advocate for new training opportunities for nursing staff.
Better Patient Outcomes
Solid nursing leadership can contribute to better patient outcomes. By serving as a role model, a nurse leader can elevate the quality of patient care. Nurse leaders can also contribute to better patient outcomes through mentoring, collaboration, and clear communication.
Examples of Nurse Leader Roles
Although any nurse has the potential to become a leader regardless of job title, some are clearly designated as such by their roles. Some roles you might consider pursuing include:
Charge Nurse
Charge nurses lead the nursing unit for any given shift. They ensure the smooth operation of the nursing unit, overseeing and offering guidance to fellow nurses. The charge nurse may answer questions about patient care, consult family members, and ensure that nurses follow proper protocols.
Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL)
Although “nurse leader” doesn’t refer to a specific job title, a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is a specific designation. A CNL is a nurse who has completed a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and earned the CNL certification through the CNL Certification Program.
A CNL is a resource for the entire care team. They ensure that the care provided is evidence-based and clinically appropriate and that all team members follow safety protocols.
Nurse Administrator
Nurse administrators are licensed RNs or APRNs who no longer provide direct patient care. Instead, a nurse administrator focuses on human resources-related matters. They also oversee nursing staff, ensuring departmental policies are followed.
Nursing Director
The nursing director is one of the top-ranking individuals in a healthcare organization. The director influences the direction of the organization, its policies, and the patient care experience. They make decisions regarding the hospital’s business plan and budget, staff hiring, and policy development and implementation.
Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
The chief nursing officer is the top executive-level nurse in the healthcare organization. The CNO is responsible for advancing the quality of care and ensuring that all nursing standards comply with regulations and the organization’s mission and vision. A CNO is generally involved with strategizing, financial forecasting, quality assurance, and staff and patient engagement.
How to Prepare for Leadership Roles in Nursing
You can prepare for your future in nursing leadership by choosing a nursing program that prioritizes the necessary values and skills, such as the ABSN program at University of St. Thomas. UST’s ABSN program not only teaches clinical skills, but also essential leadership skills like communication, teamwork, accountability, and professional ethics.
Some steps you can take to prepare for your future career as a leader can include:
- Actively work to improve your communication skills and style. Solicit feedback from others on the clarity of your communication.
- Seek mentorship opportunities to grow as a nurse.
- Prioritize quality care, for example, by paying close attention to each nursing task you perform.
- Participate in job shadowing opportunities.
- Build your professional network.
- Plan to continue your education later with a graduate degree and certifications.
Prepare to Become a Nurse Leader at University of St. Thomas
Prepare to become an RN and develop a strong foundation for future leadership roles at UST. Our ABSN program leverages your prior non-nursing education so that you can graduate in as few as 12 months. Through our comprehensive curriculum, students learn the foundations of clinical leadership and other core components of nursing education, while benefitting from small class sizes and Academic Success Coaches.
Contact our admissions advisors today to find out if the ABSN program at UST could be a good fit for you.