An account of leadership attributes: lived experience of leaders in nursing education

Abstract

Nurses have a vital role to partner and lead in transformation of health care. The leaders in the nursing education hold a pivotal position that influences both the current nursing practice and the advancement of the profession. Despite the influential roles that they hold, little is known about their experience and perception of their leadership role, its significance and its meaning to them. This study intends to explore the lived experience of leaders currently practicing as leaders in the academics and also to identify the important attributes for the leaders in nursing education. Ethnographical and narrative phenomenological approach was followed for the study. Participants were asked to reflect on their experiences elaborately on various attributes of leadership, which signified being Supportive, Credible, Resourceful, Facilitator, Charismatic, Acting as per the mission of the institution etc. The analysis also informs of various experiences, which definitely would inform the administrators to consider prospering Academic Nursing.