Perceived importance and performance of clinical leadership in practice: A cross-sectional study of nurses and midwives of all grades

Vera J.C. Mc Carthy*, Ashling Murphy, Eileen Savage, Josephine Hegarty, Alice Coffey, Patricia Leahy-Warren, Aine Horgan, Rhona O'Connell, Lynne Marsh, Jonathan Drennan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: To explore the differences in perceived importance and actual performance of clinical leadership for all grades of nurses and midwives engaged in clinical practice. 

Background: Clinical leadership is central to the provision of person-centred care. However, little is known about how nurses and midwives perceive this in practice. 

Methods: Data were collected on a sample of nurses and midwives in the Republic of Ireland, using a cross-sectional study design (n = 324). The clinical leadership needs analysis instrument was used to measure perceived importance and performance of clinical leadership in practice. Grades of nurses/midwives included; staff, manager, advanced practitioner and senior manager. 

Results: Senior managers were more likely to report significantly higher scores than staff grades for perceived importance of Technology & Care Initiatives (p <.01) and Financial & Service Management (p =.02). Performance of Staff & Care Delivery was significantly higher for senior managers than staff grades [F(5,309) = 6.06 p <.01]. 

Conclusion: There was a mismatch between the perceived importance and actual performance of clinical leadership in practice between different grades of staff.

Implications for Nursing Management: Leadership training for all grades and mentoring of staff grades can promote the building of confidence and empower staff in leading clinical practice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1738-1746
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Nursing Management
Volume27
Issue number8
Early online date16 Sept 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01 Nov 2019

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Leadership training for all grades and mentoring of staff grades can promote the building of confidence and empower staff in leading clinical practice. Funding information This study was funded by The National Leadership and Innovation Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, Health Service Executive, Ireland.

Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank the participants of this study, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for distributing the instrument and The National Leadership and Innovation Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, Health Service Executive, Ireland for funding the study.

Funding Information:
Funding information This study was funded by The National Leadership and Innovation Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, Health Service Executive, Ireland. The authors would like to thank the participants of this study, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for distributing the instrument and The National Leadership and Innovation Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director, Health Service Executive, Ireland for funding the study.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Copyright:
Copyright 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • CLeeNA
  • importance of clinical leadership
  • midwives
  • nurses
  • performance of clinical leadership

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Leadership and Management

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