Effective leadership techniques in nursing institutions: a qualitative study in a Greek public hospital. Health policy and administration approaches

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Nursing leadership is closely linked to the quality of care, job satisfaction and retention of nurses in the profession, especially in the demanding environment of Greek public hospitals, where understaffing, increased workload and burnout constitute serious challenges. In this context, the investigation of specific leadership techniques applied in daily clinical practice is of particular interest.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to examine which effective leadership techniques are used in the nursing services of a Greek General University Hospital, as experienced by the nurses, the head and the director of the nursing service.

Material and Method: A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted in a General University Hospital of the Greek public health system. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 members of the nursing staff, selected through purposive sampling, including nurses, a department head and a director of the nursing service. The analysis was carried out using thematic analysis, according to the framework of Braun and Clarke.

Results: Four main themes emerged: clear orientation towards common goals and a shared vision, supportive and consistent presence of the leader in daily clinical practice, open and honest communication combined with high emotional intelligence, and the “hope for success” as a dominant motivation when the leadership style is empowering. At the same time, chronic understaffing, increased workload and non-recognition of physical and mental exhaustion by management emerged as key organizational obstacles to the exercise of effective leadership.

Conclusions: Effective nursing leadership techniques in public hospitals appear to be based on clear goal orientation, strengthening trusting relationships, systematic recognition of effort and high emotional intelligence o nursing staff. At the same time, addressing organizational barriers related to staffing and workload is a necessary condition for implementing empowering leadership in practice and for improving the quality of care and well-being of nurses.

Keywords: nursing leadership, nursing supervisory, quality of health care, Burnout