Database of New Zealand mental health research
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The way things are done around here: Perceptions of Clinical Leadership in Mental Health Nursing
Investigator(s) / AuthorsWendy Trimmer
| Principal contact | |
|---|---|
| Name | Mrs Wendy Trimmer |
| wendy.trimmer@whitireia.ac.nz | |
| The research | |
| Summary | This research project explored nurses’ perceptions of clinical leadership in mental health nursing practice. The sample population were nurses in their second and third year of mental health nursing practice. Clinical leadership is a critical factor in promoting quality health outcomes (CLANZ, 2002) and it is clearly linked to retention of nurses and consumer outcomes. |
| Objectives | The purpose of this study was to explore registered nurses’ perceptions of clinical leadership in mental health nursing practice. The objectives being: • To increase knowledge about clinical leadership in mental health nursing practice. • To gain an understanding of ways in which clinical leadership influences new practitioners. • To identify clinical leadership skills that are considered helpful in assisting and retaining nurses, and • To identify barriers to effective leadership. |
| Study design | This research used a quantitative descriptive methodology, utilising survey design. A questionnaire was used to rank the attributes of the person the respondents identified as a clinical leader. The data was collected from 30 registered nurses working in mental health settings within the central region of New Zealand. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 10, including descriptive statistics and group correlations. Three open-ended questions sought the respondents’ opinion of how clinical leadership influenced their nursing practice, what clinical leadership skills were useful for assisting and retaining nurses and what barriers existed to prevent effective leadership. Responses to the three open-ended questions were analysed for their thematic content. |
| Methods | Survey, Quantitative, Qualitative |
| Results | Clinical leadership is perceived to be more effective by nurses in their second year of practice and in community settings. A statistically significant difference was indicated between nurses in their second year of practice and nurses in their third year of practice in terms of their ranking of clinical leadership abilities. Overall the respondents perceived poor communication and poor attitude as the biggest barriers to effective leadership. Support and good role models were said to influence nursing practice positively and the skills that were identified as being helpful in assisting and retaining nurses were mentorship and good communication. |
| Conclusions | Findings indicate that there is room for improvement with regard to clinical leadership in mental health nursing practice. Mental health nursing, like most health care systems is a complex working environment. Communication and leadership are critical for patients and families to be assured of safe care. Understanding the perceptions of nurses in their second and third year of practice about clinical leadership is pivotal to creating an environment where continuous improvement can thrive. Two key points have emerged from the results. First there is an opportunity for improvement in the leadership strategies and structures currently used in mental health. Second, further exploration is required to determine how to best measure leadership in mental health nursing practice. The findings are based on perceptions of clinical leadership from mental health nurses in their second and third year of practice. The findings clearly suggest that clinical leaders need to continually reflect on how they are communicating with others within their organisations. |
| Key Descriptors | Workforce Development, Clinical Practice, Management |
| Disciplines | Nursing |
| Settings | Acute Inpatient, Community, DHB (District Health Board) |
| Diagnostic Categories | Other |
| Populations | General Population |
| Other Keywords | |
| Ethics approval | Yes |
| Academic led | Yes |
| Service led | No |
| How were service users involved | No involvement |
| Publication in peer review journal | Pending |
| Supporting information | |
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Page last updated: 7 November 2008