Develop Your Frontline Leaders in 2024

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN

As you do your strategic planning for 2024, please don’t forget that developing your leaders working in frontline positions should be a high priority. The seismic demographic shifts in the nursing workforce and changes in how nurses view their work post-pandemic have significantly impacted the role of frontline leaders. When I ask groups of leaders today about their time in the role, the majority in many audiences have two years or less experience. Even experienced leaders are struggling with the new world of work. They need new tools.

In research conducted by AONL and the Joslin group in August 2022, 45% of nurse managers reported they are considering leaving their roles, with burnout and lack of work-life balance being the primary drivers. Less than half (47%) of nurse managers reported being emotionally healthy. Today’s frontline leadership roles are very demanding, especially in acute care environments. Gone are the days when nurse managers could depend on an experienced core group of charge nurses or assistant managers.

My research indicates that even in the best of times, more than half of all nurse leaders receive no formal leadership development before their transition, and fewer have mentors to help them. Unfortunately, we spend more time worrying about new graduates’ transition than the managers supervise them. Yet, we know from the data that front-line leaders are the linchpins in their organization that drive recruitment, retention, and staff performance. These roles are hard, and new leaders often make mistakes that could be avoided with leadership upskilling.

Today’s nurse leader role is more like an NCAA Basketball Coach who may see 50-100% of their roster rotate each year into the NBA. Future nursing teams will be more like airline crews who come together for short periods to achieve set goals. There is a movement from teams to teaming (a term written about by Amy Edmonson). In a “teaming” environment, the nurse leader provides ballast for the team. Learning how to effectively be a nurse leader coach who communicates and provides real-time feedback is essential. Building a psychologically safe environment for nurses is crucial. The nurse leader is a teacher and coach in addition to being a leader. Nurse leaders must hardwire quality and safety into all the team does.

Nursing leadership is both an art and a science. A body of evidence-based knowledge supports good leadership practice, yet most nurses are not exposed to this in their education. We don’t know what we don’t know until we do. It is unfair to allow young nurse leaders to struggle to learn by trial and error. Being a good clinician with strong critical thinking skills does not necessarily translate into excellent leadership practices. For most organizations, the strongest ROI for a better future will be to upskill their frontline nurse leaders so they have the tools and strategies to do their challenging work.

© emergingrnleader.com 2023

Brand New Workshop for 2024 – Leading in the New World of Work.  Click on Flyer The New World of Work Workshop

Bring the Nurse Leader Coach Workshop to Your Facility Virtually or Onsite. Click Here for the Nurse Leader Coach WS Flyer

 

 

 

 

 

Other Programs/Books Your Leaders May Find Valuable

From Traditional Nurse Leader to Nurse Leader Coach – Click Here for the Flyer

For new leaders and emerging leaders, consider doing The Nuts and Bolts of Nursing Leadership Program – Click Here for the Nuts and Bolts Flyer Final

New Leader Development Option in 2023 – Team Coaching Designed to the Unique Needs of Your Organization  Leader Coaching Brochure

Read the Nurse Leader Coach – Available at Amazon and Other Book Sellers

Recommended Book by the Association of Critical Care Nurses – The Nuts and Bolts of Nursing Leadership: Your Toolkit for Success