Leadership comes in many forms, and in the case of nursing, it can impact the development of future nurses and the quality of patient care. Of the leadership styles learned in Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, transformational leadership is one of the most essential.
According to Chron, “Transformational leadership occurs when leaders perform their roles so effectively that they gain the trust, respect, appreciation and loyalty of the people who follow them. This, in turn, changes (transforms) people’s behaviors.” This approach differs from the transactional leadership method because it does not rely on encouraging employees to do better by giving them incentives to motivate performance.
Chron adds, “With transformational leadership, employees are intrinsically motivated … to follow the leader’s example because they respect the leader so much. The leader creates an inspiring vision of the future that people feel compelled to follow.”
These leaders typically motivate their employees through compassion and empathy, allowing them to resonate and communicate with their staff.
Why Is Transformational Leadership So Important in Nursing?
Transformational leadership is crucial within the nursing field. Nursing leaders must authentically connect with their nurses to ensure no team members suffer from burnout.
Nurses who utilize transformational leadership can bring their staff together with the common goal of tending to patients with compassionate care. This leadership style allows nurses to form stronger connections with their patients, making them feel comfortable in the hospital setting. Receiving hospital care can be a stressful experience for patients, so easing their worries is the best way to create a transformational institution.
Healthcare facilities that prioritize transformational leadership styles experience higher staff retention. Leadership uses methods that make each employee feel valued within the organization. These methods include communicating effectively and checking in with each nurse to ensure they enjoy their work.
Additionally, transformational leaders can embrace changes within the greater healthcare system and implement new ways to encourage nursing ethics. These changes support both employees and patients within the healthcare facility.
Examples Within the Healthcare Space
Some cases of beneficial leadership within the healthcare space result from transformational leadership, including the following outcomes:
- Focusing on patient well-being. This entails implementing a safer health facility by reducing the likelihood of falls and mortality rates through a cleaner, open environment. Nursing leaders remove all sharp or exposed objects that could harm the patient, making the facility less dangerous overall.
- Better working conditions. When nurses work in an environment that is health-forward and comfortable, they are more inclined to specialize in the needs of their patients. However, if nurses do not feel they can work in a supportive environment, they will not feel determined to perform their tasks.
- Supportive feedback. Nursing leaders who regularly check in with their staff can ask what is working well and what should change. They listen without reacting harshly and are supportive of the concerns of their team members.
Prepare to Become a Leader With a Bachelor’s Degree
One way to become a more effective leader within nursing is to further your career and earn your BSN degree. Those who enroll in the RN to BSN online program at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) will gain the clinical reasoning and leadership skills needed to thrive in the evolving healthcare industry.
Students will learn to implement globally focused and culturally appropriate strategies for health promotion and disease prevention across the lifespan and develop the ability to use decision-making and leadership skills.
This intensive program, which students can complete in as few as nine months, allows all graduates to utilize evidence-based data to strengthen and improve client care outcomes through comprehensive, efficient and cost-conscious patient care. For example, UTA’s Nursing Leadership and Management course covers the basics of organizational strategies and application-based practice to help with decision making. In the Role Transition to Professional Nursing course, students focus on personal and professional empowerment strategies.
Each future nurse leader will obtain the knowledge and skills needed to enter various influential roles in diverse environments throughout the healthcare field. They will thrive and lead the next generation of nurses to greater success.
Learn more about The University of Texas at Arlington’s online RN to BSN program.
