Nurse leaders' work-related well-being-Relationships to a superior's transformational leadership style and structural empowerment

Aims To describe how nurse leaders' work-related well-being is related to a superior's transformational leadership style and structural empowerment. Background The demanding role of nurse leader means that these professionals experience emotional exhaustion and challenges with work-life balance. They can also be influenced by the leadership style of their own superiors. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire using two internationally validated scales, namely, the Transformational Leadership Scale and Conditions For Work Effectiveness Questionnaire-II, was used. Statistical methods were applied during data analysis. Results A total of 155 nurse leaders participated completed the questionnaire. The participants' work-related well-being scores ranged from 8 to 10. The participants felt that their superiors employ transformational leadership. The dimension of feedback and rewards received the lowest scores, whereas the nurse leaders reported moderate overall empowerment levels. A nurse leader's work-related well-being was positively correlated with structural empowerment and their superior's leadership style. Conclusions Despite the fact that nurse leaders reported relatively high levels of work-related well-being, more attention should be paid on the feedback and rewards and on the support of superiors as they positively influence the work-related well-being. Implications for Nursing Management Transformational leadership should be supported in organisations and through education as it strengthens work-related well-being and structural empowerment of nurse leaders.

Automated summary

This study investigated the relationship between nurse leaders' work-related well-being and their superior's transformational leadership style and structural empowerment. The results showed that a nurse leader's work-related well-being was positively correlated with structural empowerment and their superior's leadership style. Although nurse leaders reported relatively high levels of work-related well-being, attention should be paid to feedback and rewards and the support from superiors.