Correlates and predictors of clinical leadership need analysis (CLeeNA) for nurses: A cross-sectional web-based study.

Abstract

Background: Clinical leadership is the process of improving different organizational and patient care processes that achieve high-quality and safety of care outcomes. Clinical leadership is about having the appropriate skills and attributes to manage clinical settings. Nurses need to develop managerial and leadership skills; thus, nurses clinical leadership skills should be developed in all clinical settings. The clinical leadership needs of nurses received limited focus; the concept is still not fully understood.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the correlates and predictors of nurses' clinical leadership needs in Jordan.

Materials and methods: Using a cross-sectional research design utilizing a purposive sample of 349 nurses were recruited from different hospitals. Pearson correlation coefficients standard multiple linear regressions were mainly used to analyze the data.

Results: The "leadership and clinical practice" was the highest mean score of the subscales, while the "financial and service management" was the lowest. At an alpha of 0.05, significant positive moderate correlations were found between nurses' clinical leadership needs and: level of education, age, years of experience in nursing, years of experience in leadership, number of employees under the direct supervision of the leader, and type of the hospitals. At an alpha of 0.01, significant positive weak correlations were found between nurses' clinical leadership needs and: marital status, title, and unit/ward organizational structure. Marital status-separated/divorced/widowed, and years of nursing-4 years or less predicted negatively affect nurses' clinical leadership needs.

Discussion and conclusion: Meeting the clinical leadership needs of nurses will positively contribute to various clinical settings outcomes. Leadership training is needed to enhance nurses' clinical leadership skills and competencies.