What is transformational leadership Theory in nursing?

Transformational leaders are leaders who employ a distinct management style. The style is just as the title suggests – the leader seeks to transform a workplace to promote success. In other words, the leader goes above and beyond daily operations, motivates staff, and sets goals for the workplace. Transformational leaders should:

• Serve as role models
• Motivate the team
• Demonstrate concern for individual follower's needs
• Challenge followers to be creative

Nurse leaders can also demonstrate this style of leadership. They motivate staff to reach goals that align with a healthcare organization or facility’s vision or mission. An example would be a facility’s goal to increase patient satisfaction. The nurse leader would set goals to improve customer service, collaboratively develop an initiative or initiatives, and measure results (i.e., a patient survey) – engaging staff along the way.

RELATED:

Keeping this example in mind, we can break it down further to illustrate the transformational model of leadership. Beginning with goal setting in the example above, the nurse leader could hold a staff meeting and include all staff in a department. He or she would then identify the reason for the goal; for example, patient satisfaction has dropped as evidenced by an increase in patient complaints. The nurse leader may provide specific examples, such as in the increased number of complaints from patients that state they are waiting too long after they press the call light to receive assistance from staff.

The nurse leader may then engage the staff and brainstorm ways to respond to call lights faster, thereby increasing patient satisfaction. He or she must encourage ideas, listen to staff, and acknowledge their concerns. They should interact respectfully with staff and remain positive throughout the brainstorming session.

Once the group develops a goal and an initiative, the nurse leader may choose to pilot it. Using the prior example, let’s say the group came up with an initiative to have staff spread out around the nursing unit as opposed to them being assembled at the nursing station. Being spread out may reduce the time it takes to respond. The nurse leader may choose to pilot for a few weeks or a few months and see if the number of patient complaints drops. He or she may call a follow-up meeting to present results and engage staff in their thoughts about the pilot, including how it worked and what may not have worked as well as expected.

One of the benefits of transformational-style leadership is that it builds a professional, respectful relationship between a leader and staff. Staff are motivated to perform and bring their ideas to the table to improve their workplace, and leaders can meet their individual departmental goals. In the ever-changing world of healthcare, transformational nurse leaders are essential in a department (or facility’s) success.

RELATED NURSING LEADERSHIP DEGREES:

Featured Nursing Programs

Amanda Bucceri Androus, RN, BSN

Amanda Bucceri Androus is a Registered Nurse from Sacramento, California. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in nursing. She began her career working night shifts on a pediatric/ med-surg unit for six years, later transferring to a telemetry unit where she worked for four more years. She currently works as a charge nurse in a busy outpatient primary care department. In her spare time she likes to read, travel, write, and spend time with her husband and two children.

Related Articles

A nurse is performing a routine checkup on an ill patient when the patient’s vital signs take a sudden dive. The nurse has seconds to make a crucial decision. Does the nurse summon a doctor? See who else is nearby? Take care of the situation directly? What are the repercussions if the nurse does the wrong thing? There’s a lot to consider in a short period of time, and the stakes are high.

In hospitals and other healthcare facilities, responding rapidly in this kind of situation is important. It’s the job of managers, administrators, and other leaders in healthcare facilities to properly train their staff to be able to handle critical situations. The style of leadership they develop, exemplify, and teach in their workplace can play a major role in determining how decisions of all kinds are made.

Transformational leadership in nursing is a powerful tool that empowers healthcare providers as they make tough decisions. Read on to learn more about transformational leadership, its place in healthcare and nursing, and the benefits it can have in the workplace.

What Is Transformational Leadership?

The traditional style of leadership is transactional. In this style of leadership, those in charge tell the people they manage what to do and how to do it, and employees comply. Transactional leadership relies on a system of rewards and punishments: If employees do a task the way their boss instructs, they’re rewarded. If they do it differently, they’re punished. The goal of transactional leadership is to maintain the status quo with a high level of supervision. That style of leadership may produce results in some environments but certainly not in all.

Transformational leadership is quite different from transactional leadership. Instead of giving direct orders to their employees, transformational leaders give them the tools and confidence to take charge and make decisions as necessary. A transformational leader’s goal is to create a workplace full of inspired, motivated, communicative professionals who take ownership of their work, have strong ethics, and demonstrate a commitment to the success of the whole.

Bringing Transformational Leadership to Nursing    

While transformational leadership can apply in any number of professional fields, it’s especially useful in healthcare and nursing. No matter where they work, nurses work in teams –– with other nurses, doctors, technicians, nurse assistants, and more –– all with the goal of providing their patients with the highest quality of care. Facilitating clear communication and effective collaboration is a key goal for leaders in these settings. Transformational leadership in nursing aims to ensure everyone on the team understands the importance of his or her work and feels valued. This contributes to an environment where all employees are engaged and empowered. Nursing leaders make sure their charges can think critically about their roles, challenge conventions when appropriate, and maintain positive workplace momentum.

Benefits of Transformational Leadership in Nursing

Healthcare facilities that implement transformational leadership reap benefits in a number of areas. Patient care and satisfaction, employee satisfaction, greater efficiency, and lowered costs can all stem from the right style of leadership.

Improved Patient Care

High-quality patient care requires two things: experienced healthcare professionals and effective communication. Over time, transformational leadership can improve the way healthcare teams communicate. Better communication in healthcare settings means fewer misunderstandings, consistency across shifts, and overall improved patient care.

Higher Employee Satisfaction 

When healthcare and nursing leaders empower their teams to take charge and make decisions, employees are often motivated and inspired. They’ll feel responsible for team and organizational successes, not just their paychecks. When employees are trusted and management reiterates their value through their leadership style, overall job satisfaction climbs.

Reducing Turnover

Happier employees who value their jobs are less likely to leave them. Nurses who have been at their place of employment longer and work well with the rest of the team are more effective caregivers. Reducing turnover allows leaders to build a team that is committed to the organization’s success and experienced with its unique protocols and mission.

Lowering Costs   

Healthcare executives often prioritize providing quality care at the lowest possible cost. Transformational leadership can have a direct impact on the bottom line. Improved care reduces the likelihood of lawsuits and costly errors. Low employee turnover means less money wasted on training new employees or correcting their mistakes.

Become a Transformational Leader with Maryville University

Healthcare managers and administrators should strive to be transformational leaders, giving their nursing staff the confidence to make decisions. As a result, they can improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and boost morale. Transformational leadership in nursing has the potential to have a huge impact on both employees and their patients. Discover how Maryville University’s online Master of Science in Nursing can equip you with the skills to lead and create lasting change.

Recommended Reading

How Mobile Health Tools Are Changing Nursing

The Future of Nursing: Leading Change in the 21st Century

Why Maryville Nursing Webinar

Sources

American Nurse Today, “Inspire Others Through Transformational Leadership”

CIO, “What Is Transformational Leadership? A Model for Motivating Innovation”

Houston Chronicle, “The Benefits of Transformational Leadership”

Maryville University, Online MSN in Leadership

Maryville University, “Top 5 Benefits of Teamwork in Nursing”

National Center for Biotechnology Information, “Transformational Leadership in Nursing Practice”

Nursing Outlook, “Effects of Transformational Leadership on Job Satisfaction and Patient Safety Outcomes”