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Why you should read this article: • To reflect on the role of nursing leadership in supporting healthcare systems, nursing teams and high-quality patient care • To increase your understanding of relational leadership styles • To recognise the benefits and challenges of relational leadership in nursing. Leadership is an essential skill in nursing and has a fundamental role in ensuring high-quality patient care and the effective functioning of healthcare systems. Effective nursing leadership is vital to support nursing teams as they negotiate the challenges confronting the profession, such as ageing populations and the increased use of healthcare technology. This article discusses various relational leadership styles that can be used to promote nurses’ health and well-being and enhance productivity. The author also explores the benefits and challenges of implementing relational leadership in nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To enhance your understanding of the changing landscape of nurse leadership • To increase your knowledge of relational approaches to leadership • To recognise the importance of collective leadership in developing an effective healthcare culture Healthcare services and nursing environments are becoming increasingly highly pressured and stressful areas in which to work. However, effective leadership can have a significant effect on the workplace experience of nurses. This article explores the changing landscape of nurse leadership, from a traditional hierarchal approach focused on a small number of leaders to a leadership style that aims to support staff through a relational approach such as collective leadership. Collective leadership has been shown to lead to improvements in nurses' workplace experience, the care environment generally, productivity and patient outcomes. Collective leadership values nurses' leadership skills and seeks to involve them in achieving organisational goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To refresh your knowledge of various leadership styles that are commonly used in healthcare • To learn about the principles and characteristics of authentic leadership • To recognise the benefits and challenges of nurses adopting authentic leadership Authentic leadership is a relatively new concept in nursing, with limited studies undertaken into its application in healthcare. Authentic leadership emphasises the importance of the leader being true to their personal core values and developing honest relationships with team members, valuing their contributions, and behaving ethically and transparently. Trust is a central tenet of authentic leadership that aims to lead to increased staff engagement, and enhanced individual and team performance. This article explores the principles, benefits and challenges of authentic leadership, as well as examining its potential role in nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AUTH Why you should read this article: • To be aware of the importance of effective leadership in delivering optimal nursing care • To understand the principles of transformational leadership and their application in nursing practice • To count towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD, or you may wish to write a reflective account (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers) The updated Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards of proficiency for nurses emphasise the importance of nurse leadership, while the NHS has also developed models to support leadership development. There are several approaches to leadership that are applicable in nursing practice. Transformational leadership is an approach that focuses on the attributes and behaviours of the leader required to empower and motivate team members. This article outlines the four elements of transformational leadership – idealised influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualised consideration – and discusses these in relation to the NMC standards. It also describes the advantages and disadvantages of transformational leadership, and suggests ways that this approach can be applied in nursing practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why you should read this article: • To enable you to outline the various types and characteristics of leadership • To understand the importance of effective nurse leadership and its effect on patient care • To identify ways to enhance your leadership skills and apply these in your everyday practice Leadership is a role that nurses are expected to fulfil, regardless of their job title and experience. Nurses are required to lead and manage care as soon as they have completed their training. However, the development of leadership skills and the associated learning can be challenging, especially for less experienced nurses and those at the beginning of their careers. This article examines the importance of effective leadership for nurses, patients and healthcare organisations, and outlines some of the theories of leadership such as transformational leadership. It also details how nurses can develop their leadership skills, for example through self-awareness, critical reflection and role modelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There have been several changes to healthcare services in the UK over recent years, with rising NHS costs and increasing demands on healthcare professionals to deliver high-quality care. Simultaneously, public inquiries have identified suboptimal leadership throughout the NHS, which has been linked to a lack of clear leadership across the healthcare professions. In nursing, the role of the advanced nurse practitioner is regarded as a solution to this leadership challenge. This article examines the background to the development of the advanced nurse practitioner role. It also explores the various factors that may affect nurse leadership and the role of the advanced nurse practitioner, including professional identity, gender, nursing's strategic influence, clinical outcomes, and recruitment and retention. The article concludes that while advanced nurse practitioners can positively influence clinical outcomes and cost efficiency, they must also be adequately prepared to undertake a leadership role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare is a complex area with significant potential for service improvement despite the effects of increasing economic and social pressures on the quality and safety of patient care. As the largest group of healthcare professionals in direct contact with patients, nurses are well positioned to contribute to improvements in healthcare services and to the development of new policies. To influence healthcare improvements and policies effectively, nurses require leadership skills. Historically, it was thought that only nurses in management roles required leadership skills; however, the ability to influence change is a requirement at all levels of clinical practice. Transformational leadership competencies provide nurses with the skills to contribute to improvements in the quality and safety of patient care, while enhancing their career satisfaction. This article examines how nurses can apply transformational leadership to their practice. It also informs nurses how to conduct an initial self-assessment of their leadership skills and to formulate a transformational leadership development plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]