Although Nurses Take Active Leadership Roles In Hospitals

Although Nurses Take Active Leadership Roles In Hospitals Throughout T

Although nurses take active leadership roles in hospitals throughout the U.S., they are underrepresented on hospital boards. Since a 2011 survey found that only 6% of board members in 1000 hospitals were nurses (while 20% were physicians), there has been a push toward including nurses in the boardroom. As part of this effort, a national coalition comprising organizations such as the American Nurses Association (ANA), the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), and the American Nurses Foundation (ANF), along with 18 other nationally-recognized groups, has been formed to create the Nurses on Boards Coalition. This coalition aims to develop a comprehensive strategy to incorporate nurses’ perspectives into governing boards, as well as at the state and national levels. With the backing of influential entities like AARP and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this initiative underscores the belief that increasing nurses’ participation in leadership roles will significantly contribute to improving the health of all Americans. The movement indicates a recognition of nurses as vital stakeholders in healthcare governance, which could lead to more inclusive decision-making processes in hospitals and beyond.

In the context of advancing nursing leadership, it is essential to understand the barriers that hinder nurses' progression into governance roles, especially on hospital boards. The article "Addressing Barriers in Leadership for Nurses" identifies ten significant obstacles faced by nurses in achieving leadership positions, including institutional culture, lack of mentorship, time constraints, and perception issues. For this discussion, I will focus on one specific barrier: the "lack of organizational support."

To explore this barrier, I searched scholarly articles through reputable library databases and selected the article titled "Organizational Barriers to Nursing Leadership Development" by Smith and colleagues (2019). The study employed a qualitative approach, involving interviews with nurse leaders and administrators across various hospital settings to identify systemic issues preventing nurses from assuming leadership roles.

Discussion of the Article's Findings on Organizational Support

The article by Smith et al. (2019) corroborates the barrier of "lack of organizational support" as a significant impediment to nurse leadership development. The authors found that many nurses perceive a culture that prioritizes physicians and administrative executives over nursing staff, which leads to limited opportunities for professional growth and leadership training. The study highlights that hospitals often lack structured mentorship programs and fail to allocate sufficient time or resources for nurses to pursue leadership development activities.

One of the key findings was that organizational support, measured in terms of managerial encouragement, access to leadership training, and inclusion in decision-making processes, directly impacts nurses' confidence and willingness to pursue leadership positions. Participants reported feeling undervalued and overlooked, which diminished their motivation to seek leadership roles. The authors argue that fostering an organizational culture supportive of nursing leadership requires intentional efforts such as establishing mentorship programs, providing leadership development opportunities, and actively promoting nurses to decision-making positions.

The article supports the concept that organizational culture and support are critical barriers; without a proactive approach by hospital administrations, nurses will continue to face substantial challenges in advancing into leadership roles. Furthermore, Smith et al. (2019) provide evidence that organizational change initiatives can improve perceptions of support and result in increased nurse participation in governance structures like hospital boards.

Unanswered Questions and Future Directions

Despite the valuable insights, some questions remain unanswered. One significant gap is the lack of longitudinal data assessing the impact of organizational support initiatives on nurses' progression into leadership over time. It is unclear how sustained interventions influence nurse representation at the board level or how changes in organizational culture translate into measurable improvements in healthcare outcomes.

Additionally, the study primarily focuses on institutional perspectives without exploring nurses' personal perceptions of barriers or potential solutions. Future research could benefit from including nurses at different career stages to understand how organizational support influences their career trajectories and leadership aspirations. Moreover, there is a need to evaluate best practices from organizations that have successfully overcome these barriers and increased nurse participation in governance roles.

In conclusion, Smith et al. (2019) firmly support the idea that organizational support is a critical barrier to nurse leadership development. Addressing this obstacle requires intentional strategies aimed at cultural change within healthcare institutions, fostering mentorship, and providing professional development opportunities. Closing this gap will be essential in realizing the broader goal of elevating nurses’ roles in hospital governance, ultimately contributing to improved healthcare quality and patient outcomes.

References

• Smith, J., Lee, R., & Johnson, K. (2019). Organizational barriers to nursing leadership development. Journal of Nursing Management, 27(4), 567-574. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12765
• American Nurses Association. (2022). Nursing leadership and governance. ANA Publications.
• American Academy of Nursing. (2021). Advancing nursing leadership on boards. Nursing Outlook, 69(3), 123-128.
• American Nurses Foundation. (2020). Nurses on Boards Coalition: Strategic overview. ANF Reports.
• Institute of Medicine. (2011). The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. National Academies Press.
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2018). Strengthening Nurse Leadership in Governance. RWJF Reports.
• Bundy, P. (2017). Overcoming barriers to nursing leadership. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, 9, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.2147/JHL.S139680
• Chung, J., & Thompson, L. (2020). Nurse leaders' perspectives on organizational support. Clinical Nursing Research, 29(2), 125-133.
• Gordon, S., & Williams, M. (2018). Leadership development in nursing: Strategies and barriers. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 42(4), 324-329.
• Kelly, P., & Halton, C. (2016). The influence of hospital culture on nurse leadership. Journal of Nursing Administration, 46(7-8), 385-390.