Leadership Aspirations of Nurses: Does Gender or Career Role Matter?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore how nurse leaders in the New York City area described the influence of gender and career roles on their leadership aspirations. The conceptual framework was Role Congruity Theory and Ambivalent Sexism Theory, which postulate that negative workplace relations are due to perceived gender and career role disharmony. This study used qualitative methodology with a descriptive design. The sample was comprised of 19 (9 male, 10 female) leaders. The data was compiled from questionnaires and interviews. Results showed that 16% of the participants described gender role as an activator of leadership aspirations while 100% of the participants described 5 major career role influences: (a) sense of duty, (b) teaching, (c) promotion, (d) leadership training, and (e) informal mentorship. Additionally, 84% of the participants described four key influences unrelated to gender or career: (a) innate desire to lead, (b) military, (c) cultural diversity, and (d) family.