The Top 9 Qualities of a Nurse Leader

Every team requires strong leadership. Nursing leaders have a particular set of characteristics necessary for strong leadership in the field. To ensure high-quality patient care and clinical efficiency, nursing teams need effective leaders who can use their skills to set clear strategic goals and motivate team members to achieve them. This can correlate with positive patient health outcomes. 

There are several qualities a nurse leader can cultivate to help with managing nursing teams. One of the best ways to bolster these qualities is by pursuing an advanced nursing degree, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

What Is Nurse Leadership? 

Leadership in nursing is primarily about creating motivated, coherent and strategic teams of nursing professionals who are equipped to provide the highest standards of patient safety, comfort and care. Nurse leaders are passionate about hands-on care and professional development opportunities for the individuals on their teams. Additionally, effective nurse leaders are driven by a passion for the profession itself, desiring to see their teams excel and advance the field more broadly.

Sound nurse leadership may result in improved retention and morale among nursing professionals. It can also help health care facilities navigate changes like regulatory updates, technological innovation and strategic goal shifts. Effective nurse leadership has also been linked with better patient outcomes, fewer medical errors and safer environments for both nurses and patients.

What Are the Qualities of a Good Nurse Leader?

Several characteristics define an effective nurse leader and win the trust of team members and patients. Below are some of the top qualities of a nurse leader.

1. Empathy 

Nurse leaders have usually spent time at the bedside, but do not directly care for patients as a leader. However, just because they are personally caring for patients, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t still have a compassionate bedside manner. Nurse leaders must be able to empathize with team members, particularly novice nurses who may feel overwhelmed, burned out or frustrated by their own challenges or consumed by the emotional nature of their work.

2. Critical Thinking

Nurses often have to make fast, informed decisions about what’s best for their patients, and nurse leaders are no exception. Nurse leaders may also have to apply critical thinking skills to direct their team members during times of crisis or change.

3. Communication 

Clear communication skills are essential for a good nurse leader. Nurse leaders must explain decisions, policies, goals and standards to other team members. They also communicate with other leaders and health care professionals to ensure seamless approaches to care and create safe environments.

4. Team Building 

One of a nurse leader’s most important duties is developing a strong, coherent team. This may involve building trust and rapport among nurses, developing a framework for conflict resolution or creating unity around shared goals.

5. Delegation

Even the most capable nurse leader can’t do it all. Success in this demanding role means knowing when and how to delegate and matching team members’ abilities with the most appropriate and fitting tasks.

6. Mentorship 

One of the most important qualities of a nurse leader is the ability to mentor individual nurses. Nurse leaders should train the next generation of nursing professionals, helping them hone their skills and build confidence. 

7. Cultural Competence 

Cultural competence allows nurses to provide sensitive and appropriate care to all patients, taking their cultural, racial, social and religious backgrounds and identities into account. Nurse leaders should foster a culture of respect and continuous education to ensure that their teams are as culturally competent as possible. 

8. Patient Care Skills 

While nurse leaders require soft skills that help with team building and mentorship, they also need to be proficient in patient care. These competencies include clinical acumen, in-depth medical knowledge and an understanding of how to administer treatments effectively.

9. Technical Skills

Nursing teams benefit from advanced clinical technologies, including electronic health records (EHRs). Nurse leaders need to have experience with these technologies and the aptitude to keep up with innovations as they’re introduced to health care settings.

Nurse Leadership Careers at a Glance

Nurses who earn DNP degrees can apply their leadership competencies in a wide range of career paths. While different positions may focus on varying health care aspects, they all play key roles in helping facilities provide the best patient care possible.

Nurse Practitioner

The traditional role of a nurse practitioner (NP) involves conducting diagnostic tests, performing exams and creating patient care strategies. NP nurse leaders take this role a step further. These individuals perform administrative tasks and lead practice environments, create independent practice facilities, as well as build and oversee teams of healthcare professionals. In full practice states, they may be able to prescribe medication. NPs can work in primary care roles as family nurse practitioners (FNPs) or provide more specialized care, for example, as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs). Walsh University’s nationally recognized nurse practitioner programs offer affordable, flexible online coursework. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the median annual salary for NPs as $129,260 as of May 2023.

Nurse Faculty

Nurse faculty teach the essentials of quality patient care delivery to the next generation of nurses. Those in the role develop course curricula, provide instruction in classrooms and controlled patient care settings and evaluate student performance in both environments. Nurse faculty must stay up to date on practice standards and configure their curricula to reflect any changes. 

The BLS lists the median annual salary for nurse faculty instructors as $69,940 as of July 2024.

Nurse Researcher

Nurse researchers are nurse leaders who oversee research projects that aim to improve healthcare. They organize data-driven studies, recruit participants and record the results of analyzed data to detect trends. They can then identify potential areas of improvement from these analyses. Nurse researchers also typically write reports or articles that break down their findings. Additionally, they commonly apply for grants to gain research project funding.

Payscale lists the median annual salary for nurse researchers at about $81,500 as of June 2024.

Chief Nursing Officer

Chief nursing officers (CNOs) oversee the strategic direction of nursing practices within health care organizations. They oversee the functional aspects of nursing care from a business operations perspective. Their key responsibilities involve implementing updated care policies and standards, overseeing department budgets and staff recruitment and cultivating staff education opportunities. Additionally, CNOs collaborate with other department leaders to develop cohesive care strategies. 

Payscale lists the median annual salary for CNOs at about $144,480 as of July 2024.

Develop the Skills of Effective Nurse Leadership 

Nurse leaders play an integral role in optimizing teams, supporting health organizations and ensuring the best outcomes for patients. Those interested in advancing into a higher-level role may wish to develop the key qualities of a nurse leader.

One way to hone vital skills is through an advanced education, such as Walsh University Online’s DNP programs. Whether building on a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), experienced nurses can develop the qualities and competencies to become empowered nurse leaders. 

Find out how Walsh University Online can support your success as a nurse leader.

Recommended Readings

• Five DNP Careers to Consider
• The Importance of Leadership in Nursing
• MSN to DNP: 5 Benefits of Advancing Your Nursing Career

Sources:

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners, State Practice Environment
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners, What’s a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?
• Indeed, Chief Nursing Officer Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications
• Indeed, Nursing Leadership and Management: Role Definitions and Differences
• Indeed, 10 Nursing Leadership Qualities and Behaviors
• Indeed, 13 Doctorate in Nursing Practice Jobs You Can Pursue
• Indeed, What Does a Nurse Researcher Do? (And How to Become One)
• Payscale, Average Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Salary
• Payscale, Average Nursing Instructor Salary
• Payscale, Average Nurse Researcher Salary
• Relias, “Nursing Leadership: What Is It and Why Is It Important?”
• The Nerdy Nurse, “Why Leadership Is Important in Nursing”
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Postsecondary Teachers
• Zippia, “What Does A Nursing Faculty Do?”