Leader Behavior of Head Nurses through the Perceptions of Self and Others.
Abstract
Using the theory of Situational Leadership by Hersey and Blanchard (1982), this study was conducted to describe leader behaviors of Medical-Surgical Head Nurses (MSHNs) in Central Ohio. Eight hypotheses were tested concerning the dominant leadership styles, range of leadership styles and maturity levels of MSHNs. The sample consisted of 30 MSHNs, as well as, the immediate superior and three subordinates for each MSHN. Participants completed the Leadership Effectiveness Adaptability Description (LEAD), the Head Nurse Maturity Scale and a Personal Inventory Tool. Data were collected over a five week period and were analyzed using means, percentages and Fisher's Exact Test of Probability. Major findings, based on the perceptions of self and others, indicate that the dominant leadership style for MSHNs is High Task/High Relationship, the range of leadership styles includes three of the four possible styles and low relationship leadership styles are rarely used by MSHNs. In addition, maturity levels of MSHNs were found to be moderately high and having no significant relationship to the leadership styles demonstrated. The findings of this study add validity to the findings of an earlier study of the leader behaviors of Emergency Department Head Nurses in Virginia.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA145422
Entities
People
- D. L. Kupchella
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology