Describing the leadership capabilities of advanced practice nurses using a qualitative descriptive study

Abstract

AimThe aim of this study is to explore advanced practice nurses’ perceptions of their leadership capabilities.DesignA qualitative descriptive methodology informed by a well‐established leadership framework was used to explore advanced practice nurses’ perceptions of their leadership.MethodsPurposive sampling of advanced practice nurses working in tertiary acute care facilities in Eastern Canada was employed. Data sources included face‐to‐face interviews and document analysis. Fourteen advanced practice nurses participated in two audio‐taped semi‐structured interviews from March 2013–January 2014. Data were transcribed and analysed using NVIVO 10 software and content analysis.ResultsTwo main themes were identified: “Patient‐focused leadership” and “organization and system‐focused leadership”. These two themes are further described through leadership domains and capabilities that clearly articulate advanced practice nursing leadership and its contribution to improving the care environment for patients and families, nurses and other healthcare providers, organizations and the healthcare system.

An inductive qualitative approach to explore Nurse Practitioners views on leadership and research: An international perspective

“…Innovative leadership reflects the myriad of changes NPs lead and implemented in changing and improving healthcare delivery for their specific patient groups. The leadership activities in this research concur with the literature from Elliott et al () and Lamb et al () as they describe their leadership role affecting changes to healthcare delivery for specific patient groups, with a strong emphasis on independent autonomous decision‐making, and a strong clinical focus. By changing healthcare delivery, participants in this research described forging new working relationships and influencing changes to multidisciplinary teams describing new reporting relationships.…”

“…Measures of esteem were reflective in discussions related to client and peer satisfaction with their work and professional body representation. The themes in this research were similar to perceptions of leadership amongst Canadian NPs where two major themes were identified (a) patient focused leadership and (b) organisation and system focused leadership (Lamb et al, ). This research suggests that the NP leadership role is more than achieving a series of outcome indicators or competence but in keeping with more recent literature it requires a significant level of capability from NPs to deliver innovative healthcare services (Elliott et al, ; Horth & Buchner, ; Lamb et al, ).…”

“…There is a requirement and expectation by regulators that Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are clinical leaders and research active (Begley, Elliott, Lalor, & Higgins, ; Elliott, Begley, Sheaf, & Higgins, ; Lamb, Martin‐Misener, Bryant‐Lukosius, & Latimer, ). Nurse Practitioners are at the crux of changes to healthcare delivery, by leading and implementing changes in challenging demographic and economic climates (Elliott et al, ; Lamb et al, ; Poghosyan, ).…”

“…There is a requirement and expectation by regulators that Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are clinical leaders and research active (Begley, Elliott, Lalor, & Higgins, ; Elliott, Begley, Sheaf, & Higgins, ; Lamb, Martin‐Misener, Bryant‐Lukosius, & Latimer, ). Nurse Practitioners are at the crux of changes to healthcare delivery, by leading and implementing changes in challenging demographic and economic climates (Elliott et al, ; Lamb et al, ; Poghosyan, ). It is important for NPs, as clinical leaders, to research healthcare delivery, not only in order to demonstrate effectiveness in their role, but to contribute to healthcare knowledge and inspire confidence in the nursing profession (Carrick‐Sen et al, ; Pulcini, Jelic, Gul, & Loke, ; Stanik‐Hutt et al, ).…”

Low‐ and lower middle‐income countries advanced practice nurses: an integrative review

“…Justification of RN roles and titles being categorized as APN is widely debated and complex. Some recognized APN roles meet the ICN definition and characteristics whereas others do not (Carney 2016;Carryer et al 2018;Dowling et al 2013;Gardner et al 2016;Kleinpell et al 2014;Lamb et al 2018;Lowe et al 2012;Scanlon et al 2015;Schober et al 2016;Stasa et al 2014). Nurse midwife, nurse anaesthetist and registered nurse first assistant titles fall within this debate.…”