I became a leader by coincidence: specialised nurses as leaders in the field of mental health and substance abuse

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine nurses' motivation for leadership, as well as to explore important challenges nurses face in leadership positions.

Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty nurses in leading positions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Findings: Nurse leaders are recruited from clinical settings, and the transition process from clinical nurse to leader is demanding. Their motivation for leadership seems to be in human values and caring for others. Lack of strategic focus might be a challenge. Nurses in leadership positions emphasize the importance of good relationships with the staff and require an increased focus on strategic leadership.

Originality: By identifying and understanding the specific challenges that nurse leaders face, this study can contribute to the development of interventions and strategies to improve leadership practices and thereby enhance organizational effectiveness.