Leadership Style and Patient Safety Implications for Nurse Managers

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between nurse manager (NM) leadership style and safety climate. BACKGROUND: Nursing leaders are needed who will change the environment and increase patient safety. Hospital NMs are positioned to impact day-to-day operations. Therefore, it is essential to inform nurse executives regarding the impact of leadership style on patient safety. METHODS: A descriptive correlational study was conducted in 41 nursing departments across 9 hospitals. The hospital unit safety climate survey and multi-factorial leadership questionnaire were completed by 466 staff nurses. Bivariate and regression analyses were conducted to determine how well leadership style predicted safety climate. RESULTS: Transformational leadership style was demonstrated as a positive contributor to safety climate, whereas laissez-faire leadership style was shown to negatively contribute to unit socialization and a culture of blame. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing leaders must concentrate on developing transformational leadership skills while also diminishing negative leadership styles.