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Learning Objective 1: Describe the qualities needed by frontline leaders, challenges in their practice, role satisfiers and factors that would prevent them from applying for nurse manager positions.
Learning Objective 2: Discuss strategies to develop frontline leaders based on lessons learned from a large health system.
The recent Institute of Medicine report on The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health included a recommendation that nurses should be prepared and enabled to lead change to advance healthcare in the United States. It is noted in the report that strong leadership at every level is critical if the vision of a transformed health care system is to be realized, and nurses are to participate as full partners with physicians and other health professionals. The development of frontline nurse leaders who work in charge nurse, patient care facilitator and assistant nurse manager role is critically important but often neglected in today’s healthcare environment.
This presentation will include exploratory descriptive findings from 350 frontline leaders working in a ten hospital system in South Florida. Their observations about leadership qualities needed by nurses in frontline roles, challenges they experience, role satisfiers and whether they would consider nurse manager roles will be presented. The implications of the research and strategies for frontline leadership development will be discussed.
Methods
A descriptive exploratory study IRB approved study was conducted with 350 frontline nurse leaders from ten hospitals who attended a one day workshop offered by their healthcare system. Participants filled out a survey prior to the beginning of the workshop. Results from the survey were collated along with demographic information about participants.
Results
Key challenges for frontlines leaders include conflict management, keeping patients and families satisfied, staying current with the many changes in policies, procedures and regulatory requirement and the delegation of care. Nurses in the role need excellent communication and listening skills. The most satisfying part of the role is coaching and mentoring staff, especially new graduates.
Conclusion
Frontline nurse leaders play a key role the effective functioning of their units and attentiveness to their leadership development is important.
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