The components of strategic leadership competencies of chief nurse executives in private hospitals in Thailand

Aim To determine the components of the strategic leadership competencies of chief nurse executives. Background The nursing executives are currently required to have strategic competencies including a strategic vision, a capability to inspire nursing staff to use their maximal potentials for the highest benefits of the organisation. Methods This research was mixed methods with phenomenology qualitative design and factor analysis. The samples consisted of 253 nurse executives from 65 private hospitals in Thailand. The content validity test was at 0.91, and the reliability was at 0.91. The data were analysed using content analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Results There were 7 components of the strategic leadership with 75 competencies with factor loadings as follows: strategic-innovative thinking and planning (0.89), developing today's and tomorrow's leaders (0.89), relating the parts to the whole (0.82), building partnership (0.78), making it happen (0.78), corporate spirit (0.73) and giving direction (0.66). Conclusion The new knowledge was 7 components with 75 competencies particularly the top 3 components for developing nurse executives in strategic thinking and innovation of nursing management to become strong leaders of today and tomorrow. Implications for Nursing Management These findings contribute to leadership development for chief nurse executives in possessing the administrative capability and leadership attributes.