Leadership Research Summary:
• The aim of the study was to establish what leadership competencies are expected of master level‐educated nurses like the Advanced Practice Nurses and the Clinical Nurse Leaders as described in the international literature.
• Fifteen studies and seven competency frameworks were examined to produce a synthesis of 150 identified competencies. The final set of 30 core competencies were identified in four leadership domains:
o Clinical leadership
o Professional leadership
o Health systems leadership
o Health policy leadership
• Most competencies fit in within one single domain, yet the health policy domain contained the least required competencies.
• This synthesis of 30 core competencies within four leadership domains can be used for further development of evidence-based curricula on leadership.
Leadership Research Findings:
Table 2: Final 30 leadership Core competencies within (four) leadership domains.
ClinicalLeadershipdomain–Corecompetencies
• Provides leadership
• Collaborates with healthcare professionals, including physicians, advanced practice nurses, nurse managers, and others, to plan, implement, and evaluate an improvement opportunity.
• Alignspracticewithoverallorganizational/contextualgoals.
• Guides, initiates, and provides leadership in 1) the development and implementation of standards, practice guidelines, quality assurance, and 2) education, and 3) research initiatives.
Professional Leadership domain – Core competencies
• Participates in professional organizations and activities that influence advanced practice nursing
• Provides leadership in the development and integration of the nurse practitioner role within the healthcare system.
• Assumes responsibility for own professional development by pursuing education, participating in professional committees and work groups, and contributing to a work environment where continual improvements in practice are pursued
• Employs consultative and leadership skills with intraprofessional and interprofessional teams to create change in health care and complex healthcare delivery systems.
• Participates in peer‐review activities e.g. publications, research, and practice
• Participates in relevant networks; regional, national, and international
Health Systems Leadership domain – Core competencies
• Contributestodevelopment,implementation,andmonitoringoforganizationalperformancestandards
• Assumes a leadership role of an inter professional healthcare team with a focus on the delivery of patient‐centered care and the evaluation of quality and cost‐effectiveness across the healthcare continuum
• Demonstratesaleadershiproleinenhancinggroupdynamicsandmanaginggroupconflictswithintheorganization
• Plans and implements training and provides technical assistance and nursing consultation to health department staff, health providers, policy makers, and personnel in other community and governmental agencies and organizations
• Delegatesandsupervisestasksassignedtoparaprofessionalstaff
• Createsacultureofethicalstandardswithinorganizationsandcommunities
• Identifiesinternalandexternalissuesthatmayimpactdeliveryofessentialmedicalandpublichealthservices
• Demonstrates working knowledge of the healthcare system and its component parts, including sites of care, delivery models, payment models, and the roles of healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, and unlicensed professionals
ClinicalandHealthSystemsLeadershipdomain–Corecompetencies
•Usesadvancedcommunicationskills/processestoleadqualityimprovementandpatientsafetyinitiativesinhealthcaresystems.
• Employs principles of business, finance, economics, and health policy to develop and implement effective plans for practice‐level and/or sys‐ tem‐wide practice initiatives that will improve the quality of care delivery.
• Advocates for and participates in creating an organizational environment that supports safe client care, collaborative practice and professional growth.
• Createpositive healthy(work)environments and maintaina climate inwhich team membersfeel heard andsafe
Health Policy Leadership domain – Core competencies
• Guides, initiates, and provides leadership in policy‐related activities to influence practice, health services and public policy
• Articulates the value of nursing to key stakeholders and policy‐makers
Professional and Health Systems Leadership domain – Core competencies
• Prepares through mentoring and coaching future generations of nurse leaders
Clinical, Health Systems and Health Policy Leadership domain – Core competencies
• Provides leadership in the evaluation and resolution of ethical and legal issues within healthcare systems relating to the use of information, information technology, communication networks, and patient care technology.