One of Four Key IOM Messages
       #3) Nurses 
        should be    • Foster 
       full partners  leadership skills 
          with        and 
        physicians    competencies
       and others    • Nurses must see 
            in        policy as 
       redesigning    something they 
                      shape 
       U.S. health 
           care
          IOM (December 2010) The Future of Nursing
      The Evidence on Nursing 
              Leadership
   • Many current nurse leaders “fell into their positions” and often did not 
    received orientation, coaching or mentoring.
   • Nurse leaders play a critical role in the recruitment and retention of staff.
   • Nurse leaders play a key role in the establishment of healthy work 
    environments.
   • Recruitment of nurses into leadership roles can be very challenging.
   • The expectations of nurse managers have significantly increased over the past 
    decade and there is greater reliance on charge nurses to manage clinical 
    leadership issues. 
   • By the end of the decade, succession planning will be a critical issue for nurse 
    leaders.
                              The Study
       • Exploratory Descriptive design with a goal to learn about the 
         perspectives of current charge nurses on frontline leadership 
         development.
       • Conducted in the Spring of 2010 during 10 charge nurse 
         workshops in South Florida with 354 study participants.
       • Survey included open and closed ended questions designed to 
         determine the following:
       1.  Leadership qualities needed by Frontline Leaders
       2.  Role challenges
       3.  Role satisfiers
       4.  Interest in applying for formal leadership roles
                                               The Sample
         N Completing Survey = 354/400    All Currently in Charge Nurse Roles
          Age (Mean)                          46.4  Years of Age  SD =  5.7 
          Gender                              91%  Female
                                                9%   Male
          Highest Level of Nursing            44%  Associate Degree
          Education                           38%  BSN
                                              11%  Diploma
                                              7%    Masters Degree
                                               0%   Doctorate            
          Years of Nursing Experience         19.5  Years   SD =  6.4
          (Mean)
          Practice Setting                    26%  Critical Care
                                              22%  Telemetry
                                              16%  Medical-Surgical Unit
                                              11%  ER
                                              7%    OB/GYN
                                              5%    OR
                                              2%    Oncology
                                              2%    Pediatrics
                                              11%  Other
                                         Leadership Qualities
                   Theme                                                            Qualities                                                                     Frequency 
                                                                                                                                                                 Mentioned
                   Manages Communication                                           Listening Skills                                                         293
                                                                                   Keeping Everyone Updated
                                                                                   Sensitivity to Communication Styles
                                                                                   Confronts Conflict Directly
                   Acts as the Team Coach                                          Clinical Competence                                                      243
                                                                                   Seen as a Go-To Person
                                                                                   Expert Educator
                                                                                   Cheer Leader for the Team
                                                                                   Team Player
                                                                                   Collaborative
                                                                                   Knows how to Delegate
                   Seen as Approachable                                            Non-judgmental                                                           183
                                                                                   Caring
                                                                                   Demonstrates Empathy
                                                                                   Positive Corrective Feedback
                                                                                   Transparent
                                                                                   Available
                   Works like an Air Traffic Controller                            Organizes the Work of the Team                                           168
                                                                                   Ability to Prioritize
                                                                                   Reduces Unit Chaos
                                                                                   Multi-tasks
                                                                                   Manages Stress 
                   Viewed as a Professional                                        Confident                                                                123
                                                                                   Assumes Accountability for Actions
                                                                                   Diplomacy with Interdisciplinary Team
                                                                                   Role Model
                                                                                   Leadership respected by all
                                                                                   Professional Advocate for Nursing