Research Paper on Quantitative Nursing

Introduction

The selected topic for this study is "Effect of Personality on Effective Nursing Leadership". An effective nursing leader is the one who can inspire and mentor others to work in unison towards the accomplishment of enhanced patient care, which is essential in nursing practices. According to Scully (2014, p.2), nursing is a dynamic and compelling profession which depends on engaging and inspiring role models and leaders. There is a need for exploring the impact of one's personality when it comes to the delivery of effective leadership. This study will focus on demonstrating the correlation between personal traits (inherent personal values) and effective nursing leadership.

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Literature Review

The literature review section will focus on exploring the previously done studies which are related to the nursing leadership and impact of the personality towards the effective nursing leadership. The current nature of the nursing practice is characterized by the ever-changing working conditions, through which nurse leaders are expected to offer constant guidance to the nursing practitioners (Scully, 2014, p.3). It follows that capable clinical leaders and managers play a significant role in the healthcare system since they are given the responsibilities of managing human and financial resources required in the provision of quality patient care. Through the use of behaviour and trait theories, the research will analyze various ideologies regarding effective nursing leadership. While researching on the essentials of the nursing leadership, Whitehead, Weiss and Tappen (2010, p.7) revealed that different leadership models are required in various contexts. This implies that nurse leaders should embrace a particular set of behaviours and qualities (personal attributes) to make them fit in different nursing situations.

Gerhardt et al. (2002, p.5) provided a critical review on the five-factor model of personality (commonly referred to as Big Five), thus presenting a basis of how this approach can be utilized in describing the salient aspects of personalities in relation to nursing leadership. The five-factor model included elements such as neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness (Gerhardt et al., 2002, p.6). These elements are crucial in the depiction of one's personality in correlation with acceptable leadership attributes. For example, Gerhardt et al. (2002, p.7) assert that neuroticism represents the tendencies of exhibiting poor emotional adjustment and experiences adverse effects which can trigger anxiety, insecurity, and hostility, thus hindering the nurturing of the effective leadership attributes. This implies that personality traits such as hostility and anxiety can hamper one's self-esteem which is a significant element of both superior and subordinate in the evaluation of leadership effectiveness.

The literature review will also focus on establishing the relationship between the nursing leadership and the performances of the workforces. Smith and Kautsch (2009, p.3) demonstrated that nursing leadership and management play a crucial role in the creation of the high performing healthcare systems (organizations), by adding entrepreneurialism and managerialist mechanisms in pursuing the accomplishment of the effective patient care. For example, in the United Kingdom, first-class leaders are deployed across various National Health Service (NHS) to steer the implementation of proposed radical change programs. Scully (2014, p.4) acknowledges that nursing leadership is essential in the provision of quality care. It follows that an organization should focus on embracing leadership practices which put the dynamic nature of nursing field into perspective.

The literature review will also explore the relationship between a particular set of personality traits and the molding of an effective nursing leader. According to the Peter Duckers' model of effective leadership, one should not apply coercive approaches on people to exert influence, silence the subject through fear or utilize humiliation tactics to carry out order (Smalskys, Patapas, & Dirzyte, 2013, p.5). It follows that effective nurse leaders should possess particular personal qualities which can enhance acceptable professional values in nursing practices.

Self-confidence is one of the personal attributes which is vital in the developing an effective nursing leader. According to Karkada and Cherian (2017, p.61), contemporary nursing leadership is characterized by various leaders who are motivated by organizational goals and values. Through the use of performance indicators such as PDCA (Plan, Do, Check & Act) and policies on different areas of health care, it is demonstrated that nurses are exerting a significant influence when it comes to organizational leadership (Karkada & Cherian, 2017, p.62).

However, Smith and Kautsch (2009, p.4) reiterate that self-confidence personality on nursing leaders can have a detrimental impact on the morale levels of the employees. According to Smalskys, Patapas, & Dirzyte (2013, p.5), self-confident leaders are less likely to involve others in the decision-making process, prompting them to use coercion, domination, and manipulation which can cause greater dissatisfaction (Gerhardt, Bono, Judge, & Ilies, 2002, p.9) on amongst the staff. Some nursing leaders are also possess destructive personality traits such as egocentricity, callousness, and insensitivity can impact adversely to the overall performances of a healthcare organization (Smith & Kautsch, 2009, p.3).

While providing a review on leadership and personality, Gerhardt et al. (2002, p.4) presented various features which describe an effective nursing leader. The cognitive ability or intelligence was identified as a predictor of successful leadership. Brilliant leaders are perceived to be confident, more open to the leadership dynamics (Smalskys, Patapas, & Dirzyte, 2013). Effective nurse leaders are also required to possess a high level of emotional intelligence. Karkada and Cherian (2017, p.64) implied that emotional intelligence allows nurse leaders to acknowledge the importance and power of emotions when it comes to guiding and inspiring the subject. This indicates that nurse leaders should use their emotions to encourage, support, help and influence their staff to perform at high levels.

Statement of Purpose

Nursing is a dynamic and compelling profession which depends on engaging and inspiring role models and leaders (Scully, 2014, p.4). There is a need for exploring the impact of one's personality when it comes to the delivery of effective leadership. With evolving approaches of the current nursing practices, it is imperative to understand the role of leadership when it comes to implementing person-centred care. However, it is revealed that there is limited knowledge of decisive leadership in improving the person-centred culture of care, especially in nursing homes (Marie, 2013, p.2). The study will also focus on exploring perceptions and attitudes related to the styles, knowledge, and skills of leadership in various levels a healthcare organization.

Theoretical Framework

The research will utilize Trait and theories as a framework of developing concepts and findings on the problem. The trait theory of leadership concentrates on identifying various personality traits and attributes which are related to effective leadership across different contexts (Cherry, 2018, p.2). According to the trait theory, it will be assumed that an individual must possess particular innate abilities (personality traits) to be a successful leader. The research will also be based on behavior leadership theory, where the behaviors and actions of the leaders are emphasized, as opposed to their traits. Nawaz and Ahmed (2016, p.4) reveal that strong leadership is enhanced by the effective role of behavior. The behavior model of leadership applies technical (one's knowledge on particular techniques or processes) and human abilities to lead the followers (Nawaz & Ahmed, 2016, p.5). Both of these theories are relevant to the research since they outline actions, skills and behaviors which are predictors of effective nursing leadership.

Research Question and Study Hypothesis

The research question for this study will be: "What is the relationship between personality and effective nursing leadership?"

The hypothesis for the study will be: "There is a strong relationship between one's personality and effective nursing leadership."

The Significance of the Research Question to the Knowledge Development

The research question for this study focusses on the investigation of the relationship between effective nursing leadership and personality traits. The study will explore various concepts on how personal attributes influence the nature of nursing leadership adopted in an organization. Smith and Kautsch (2009, p.5) reiterated that nursing leadership is a complex and dynamic concept which can be significantly enhanced through researches. This study is also vital enhancing one's knowledge on managerial practices in nursing such as assessing the performances of staff nurses, mentoring and structuring of the education programs. The research questions will adequately outline and evaluate the nature of nursing leadership, ultimately forming the basis of nurse leaders to improve their profession in implementing critical changes in nursing practices.

References

BIBLIOGRAPHY Cherry, K. (2018). Understanding the Trait Theory of Leadership. Very Well Mind, 3(1), 1-3.

Gerhardt, M. W., Bono, J. E., Judge, T. A., & Ilies, R. (2002). Personality and Leadership: A Qualitative and Quantitative Review. Journal of Applied Psychology, 3(2), 1-15.

Karkada, S., & Cherian, S. (2017). A Review on Leadership in Nursing. International Journal of Nursing Research and Practice, 1(2), 58-66.

Marie, A. (2013). The Role of Leadership in The Implementation of PersonCentred Care Using Dementia Care Mapping: A Study in Three Nursing Home. Journal of Nursing Management, 4(2), 1-3.

Nawaz, A., & Ahmed, Z. (2016). Leadership Theories and Styles: A Literature Review. Journal of Resources Development and Management, 16(3), 2-7.

Scully, N. J. (2014). Leadership In Nursing: The Importance Ofrecognising Inherent Values and Attributes To Secure A Positive Future For The Profession. School of Health, University of New England, 2(3), 1-6.

Smalskys, V., Patapas, A., & Dirzyte, A. (2013). What Personality Traits Make An Effective Leader? International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 2(2), 2-7.

Smith, T., & Kautsch, M. (2009). A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis of Effective Nursing Leadership. Polski przeglad Nauk o Zdrowiu, 3(4), 1-9.

Whitehead, D., Weiss, S., & Tappen, R. (2010). Essentials of Nursing Leadership and Management. Philadephia, PH: F. A. Davis Company.