Leadership Practices of Nurse Managers in Saudi Arabian Hospitals: A Mixed-Methods Study
Date
2022
Authors
Alharbi, Abdulhafith
Editors
Advisors
Rasmussen, Philippa
Magarey, Judy
Magarey, Judy
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Thesis
Citation
Statement of Responsibility
Conference Name
Abstract
Effective leadership of clinical nurse managers enables registered nurses to advance the profession of nursing and provide safe patient care. Therefore, there is a need for effective leaders and positive role models who can motivate, support and encourage others to develop professionally, so they can successfully engage with their roles in clinical settings to provide safe patient care. This study explored the leadership practices of clinical nurse managers and their effectiveness in Saudi hospitals. A mixed-methods, explanatory sequential design was implemented involving clinical nurse managers and registered nurses in their wards. The quantitative phase of the research involved a cross-sectional study that used convenience sampling. The sample included 29 clinical nurse managers and 318 registered nurses who worked in the nurse managers’ wards. The Leadership Practice Inventory – Self and the Leadership Practice Inventory – Observer instruments were used in this phase. The qualitative phase involved a hermeneutic phenomenological study that used purposive sampling. In this phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 clinical nurse managers and 12 registered nurses. The results from the first phase of the study indicate that there is a significant difference between the self and observer assessments of the transformational leadership practices of clinical nurse managers. There were also significant differences in the transformational leadership practices of Saudi and clinical nurse managers from other cultures. Ward experience of clinical nurse managers was statistically positively associated with higher ratings of “enabling others to act”. Length of clinical nurse managers’ experience was associated with “enabling others to act” and “encouraging the heart” practices. The second phase of the study expanded on and contextualised the results gained from the first phase. Though the themes and subthemes from the clinical nurse managers and registered nurses are presented as discrete elements, they are interrelated. Both groups expressed positive and negative perspectives of clinical nurse managers’ leadership in the Saudi healthcare context. The eight common themes were lack of experience, cultural barriers for non-Saudis, poor leadership, barriers to good leadership, Saudis are better leaders, working as a team, the importance of clinical expertise and the critical need to develop leadership skills. This research provides important evidence for policymakers regarding leadership behaviours of both Saudi and clinical nurse managers from other cultures. Also, this study offers important insights into challenges for clinical nurse managers. Implementation of well-structured, innovative and sustainable leadership development strategies for clinical nurse managers, and structured counselling and psychological services, can effectively support clinical nurse managers and promote improved leadership behaviours. Several important recommendations and insights are provided in this thesis for the advancement of nursing in the country, especially the leadership role of clinical nurse managers.
School/Discipline
Adelaide Nursing School
Dissertation Note
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Adelaide Nursing School, 2023
Provenance
This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals