Leadership strategies in nursing: A guide to empowering your team

As the health care sector confronts new challenges and complexities, the responsibilities of nursing leadership roles are continuously expanding. Nurse leaders today stand at the forefront, guiding their teams through a shifting health care landscape while ensuring the highest quality of patient care. The impact of effective leadership in nursing is profound: it not only influences individual patient outcomes but also dictates the operational excellence of health care institutions.¹

In the following sections, we will explore the significance of leadership strategies in nursing, the power of advocacy in nursing leadership, and the key approaches to empowering nursing teams. These insights aim to shed light on the ways in which leadership is not just a title but a dynamic, proactive process that contributes to the greater good of patients and the entire health care system.

Why leadership strategies in nursing are important

Effective leadership strategies in nursing are foundational to the success of health care organizations. Not only do they streamline care coordination, ensuring that every patient receives timely and cohesive treatment, but they also create an infrastructure where patient safety is the priority. Strong nurse leadership fosters a systematic approach to patient care that minimizes errors and maximizes outcomes.^1,2

A focus on leadership development within the nursing profession can have a direct correlation with the retention of skilled nursing professionals. Nurses who are empowered through effective leadership often exhibit heightened job satisfaction because they are supported in their roles and recognized for their efforts. This sense of empowerment encourages them to remain in their positions and grow within the organization, which is indispensable in today's climate of nursing shortages and high turnover rates.²

In a systematic literature review of publications on leadership styles in nursing, researchers found that the different styles were associated with a variety of positive patient outcomes. For example:²

• Resonant leadership (leadership focused on individuals and relationships³) was connected to lower 30-day mortality and 28% lower probability of 30-day mortality compared with high-dissonant leadership (a style of leadership that is more authoritative and objective³) or hospitals with mixed leadership styles.
• Task-oriented leadership (achieving goals based on delegation to team members⁴) was found to relate to higher levels of quality of care according to assessments made by relatives and staff in nursing homes
• Formal leadership (having clearly defined authoritative roles and structures⁵) around patient safety is an important predictor of learning from minor, moderate, and major near-miss events⁶

The same study examined the impact of leadership styles in nursing and organizational culture. Findings included:

• Servant leadership (sharing of power, putting the needs of others first and helping other employees develop and perform as highly as possible⁷) behaviors enacted by nurse managers positively impacted nurses’ innovative behaviors and job performances
• Transformational leadership (empowering employees to make decisions, encourage creativity and foster an environment where team members are motivated to contribute to the organization's vision⁸) positively influenced work engagement and contributed to extra-role performance by improving self-efficacy of nurses¹
• Transformational leaders also were found to encourage job performance and feelings of psychological safety within units¹

Further, role ambiguity and role conflict on units were found to relate to higher turnover rates for nurses. Further, role ambiguity as well as those higher turnover rates were found to increase the likelihood of medical error, compounding and cycling issues.²

By investing in nursing leadership, organizations are thus investing in the well-being of their patients and the longevity of their workforce.

What are advocacy strategies in nursing leadership?

Nursing leaders are at the heart of health care advocacy, pushing for advancements that resonate through every level of both patient care and staff welfare. They champion the needs and interests of those under their care and their colleagues, working onerously toward improved health care delivery systems. By stepping up as the intermediaries between the nursing staff and the often complex health care infrastructure, nurse leaders identify and tackle issues that obstruct optimal health care, and the well-being of their teams. They strategize, negotiate, and collaborate with decision-makers, always with the goal of securing the necessary resources, support, and policies to foster a safer and more efficient work environment geared towards high-quality patient outcomes. This form of advocacy is not just about speaking up—it's about fostering a culture of proactive problem-solving and persistent dedication to the betterment of health care as a whole.⁹

Examples of nurse leaders advocating for their staff include:⁹

• Engaging staff in decision-making processes, such as scheduling and staffing, to create a more supportive work environment.
• Protecting nursing resources during periods of budget cuts or organizational change to preserve the quality of care.
• Including nurses in equipment and supply purchasing decisions to ensure selections are made with staff and patient safety in mind.
• Addressing concerns, like nurse incivility, by fostering skills development in communication and conflict resolution.
• Empowering nurses to contribute to facility-wide strategies for patient care and improving work conditions.
• Advocating for staff development opportunities through initiatives such as on-campus RN-to-BSN programs or providing mentoring to facilitate professional growth.

Key strategies for empowering nursing teams

Empowering nursing teams is an essential component of effective health care leadership. Creating an environment where nurses feel supported, valued, and adept, leads to enhanced patient care and staff satisfaction.¹ This nurturing of a dynamic and skilled workforce is based on several strategic pillars that contribute to the foundation for a thriving nursing community.

Foster a culture of safety

A culture of safety is paramount in health care settings, and nurse leaders play a critical role in cultivating this environment. This involves implementing safety protocols, encouraging open communication about risks without fear of reprisal, and actively involving all staff members in safety initiatives. By valuing each team member's input and fostering a learning environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth, nurse leaders can drive the commitment to patient and staff safety to new heights.¹⁰

Promote work-life balance

Nursing leaders have the opportunity to significantly enhance work-life balance for their teams, which is critical in cultivating a satisfied and high-functioning workforce. By embracing strategies like flexible scheduling and promoting mental well-being, nursing leaders can help reduce burnout and create a more harmonious balance between professional responsibilities and personal life. Encouraging staff involvement in decision-making regarding practice environment conditions can lead to more balanced schedules and adaptable staffing approaches, ultimately ensuring both patient and staff needs are met.⁹

Embrace technology and innovation

Embracing technology and innovation is essential for nursing leaders to empower their teams. By integrating state-of-the-art technologies such as AI and smart tech into health care and clinical settings, nurses can optimize their workflows, improve patient care, and ensure a safer environment for both clients and staff. Technology management in nursing leadership courses, for example, provide nursing leaders with insights into the use of emerging technologies, equipping them with the knowledge to drive change and improve efficiency within their organizations.¹¹

Develop emotional intelligence

Crucial leadership skills, such as negotiating resources, building trust relationships, encouraging partnership development and making decisions, require a strong foundation of perceiving, using, understanding and managing feelings of staff and patients. Across industries these traits have been shown to reinforce organizational commitment, job satisfaction and wellbeing in the workplace.¹²

Prioritize evidence-based practice

Evidence-based practice is a systematic problem-solving approach that is evidence-driven and translates new knowledge into clinical, administrative, and educational practice. Benefits include improved patient outcomes, reduced health care costs, growth in nursing science, integration of new technologies, increased nurse autonomy and confidence, and relevancy in care protocols. It supports informed decisions, encourages patient involvement in care plans, sharpens critical thinking skills, and spurs ongoing professional development. Embracing this method leads to nursing excellence through continuous quality enhancement in clinical care.¹³

Putting leadership into practice

With an expansion of job responsibilities, it's essential for nurse leaders to refine their skills and foster qualities that align with modern human-centric leadership: authenticity, empathy, and adaptiveness. Statistics show a growing skills gap and an urgent need for leaders to manage organizational changes effectively across industries.¹⁴

Creating a leadership development plan is an imperative strategy in nursing leadership to meet the demands of the shifting health care environment. Here's an approach to nurturing effective nurse leaders that are well-equipped to handle those responsibilities:¹⁴

Deep self-assessment

Nurse leaders begin by understanding their current capabilities through introspection and feedback. This includes acknowledging strengths and pinpointing improvement areas through mechanisms like peer reviews and self-analysis tools. Recognizing one's own leadership style and improving emotional intelligence are key towards building a resilient leadership identity.

Goal setting with agility

Target-setting within the nursing field must remain flexible and adaptable. Nurse leaders should set inspiring yet achievable objectives, allowing for near-term successes that contribute to long-term visions, and revising them in response to health care changes and personal growth.

Embracing leadership training

Continuous education through leadership training programs is essential. These programs offer a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, enabling nurse leaders to stay current with industry standards and emerging challenges in patient care and team management.

Cultivating a robust professional network

Networking is non-negotiable in nursing leadership. Developing professional relationships provides a platform for mentorship, peer learning, and support, fostering a collaborative approach towards effective nursing leadership.

Strengthening soft skills

Soft skills are paramount in health care leadership. Effective communication, empathy, negotiation, and conflict resolution are soft skills that empower nurse leaders to create harmonious teams, manage conflicts, and lead their organizations toward improved health care quality and outcomes.

Ultimately, the journey to effective nurse leadership is continuous and demands a commitment to lifelong learning and adaptation. By maintaining a balance of technical acumen and soft skills, and fostering robust professional networks, nurse leaders can navigate the complexities of health care with confidence and positivity, setting the stage for their teams to deliver exceptional patient care.

Lead with confidence: Earn your online MSN from OCU

In conclusion, nurse leadership is a multifaceted role that extends beyond the bedside to encompass advocacy for patients and staff, the empowerment of nursing teams, and the seamless integration of evidence-based practice. As we’ve explored, fostering a culture of safety, promoting work-life balance, embracing innovation, honing emotional intelligence, and prioritizing research-based care are paramount to elevate patient care and enhance nursing practice.

Oklahoma City University's online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is designed for those who aim to rise as leaders within this noble profession. OCU’s online MSN, with its leadership-focused curriculum and experienced faculty, provides an opportunity to balance continuing education with work commitments. Through coursework focused on advanced clinical skills and specialized leadership knowledge, you’ll gain the tools needed to excel in a variety of health care environments.

Are you prepared to take the next step in your nursing career and lead with distinction? Schedule time with an admissions outreach advisor to discuss admissions requirements, explore specialization options and learn more about the opportunities that our MSN program offers.