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Leadership in Nursing

Each month, we will also focus on leadership and professionalism in nursing. As the largest group of healthcare professionals in the U.S. and globally, we can lead in various capacities, shaping the delivery of quality care, fostering patient trust, and taking pride in our profession. Leadership is not limited to roles like Chief Nursing Officer; even bedside nurses can demonstrate leadership tendencies. However, cultivating psychological capital—such as resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy—is crucial. Without it, we risk adverse career outcomes that can ultimately affect both ourselves and the healthcare organization and patient outcomes.


Nurses around a table discussing a healthcare topic.

What is Psychological Capital (Psycap)


  1. This novel concept was introduced in the early 2000s by Fred Luthans, who drew upon the field of positive psychology.

  2. The focus is a positive mindset and emotions with four tenets:

    1. Hope

    2. Optimism

    3. Resilience

    4. Self - efficacy

  3. Without these four tenets, the nurse can suffer physically and emotionally in both their personal and professional life.

  4. Psycap is also linked to Bandura’s Social Cognition Theory, highlighting how people use their skills and strengths to succeed and achieve goals.

  5. Other psychological resources that one should possess that have been discussed include well-being, courage, gratitude, forgiveness, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, compassion, and grit.



Psychological Capital - the HERO within the Nurse


  1. H is for Hope - achieving goals using willpower and determination even in the face of adversity and developing an alternative plan if necessary to achieve the desired goal. 

  2. E is for Efficacy - self-efficacy is believing in one’s ability to do whatever it takes to achieve the desired outcome successfully.

  3. R is for resilience - the ability to overcome and bounce back from misfortune or adversity. You will also learn from the experience and continue to have a positive outlook.

  4. O is for Optimism - viewing the future with a positive outlook, believing that good things will happen and that one’s ability can overcome all challenges.


Leadership and Psychological Capital - Cultivate Success


Leaders at all levels must have psychological capital and help those they work with have it also. The glass can’t be half empty but half full to produce positive outcomes. As healthcare workers, we know that life can be fragile and complicated. It can be cut short at a moment's notice or changed in the blink of an eye, but with psychological capital, we can persevere and find a glimmer of hope in all moments. Developing psychological capital in yourself and those you work with can have excellent results. Below are a few ways to start creating your psychological capital.


  1. Hope - begin by setting goals in your personal and professional life. Remember, in nursing school, setting SMART goals - do the same for your life. Remember to be flexible and adaptable if your first plan doesn’t succeed. (SMART=Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Based)

  2. Efficacy (Self-Efficacy) - step out of your comfort zone, practice self-talk, and visualize succeeding.

  3. Resilience - practice regular self-care, cultivate positive relationships, develop problem-solving skills 

  4. Optimism - practice gratitude, find humor, spend time with positive people, look forward to the future


Leadership in nursing goes beyond titles—it's about mindset, strength, and the ability to inspire others through action. By cultivating psychological capital—hope to achieve new things, resilience to overcome challenges, optimism to find opportunities, and self-efficacy to lead with confidence—we can elevate ourselves and our profession.


Remember, every interaction is an opportunity to lead, whether at the bedside, in the boardroom, or mentoring the next generation of nurses. Let's commit to nurturing our inner resources, supporting one another, and embracing leadership in all its forms to create lasting, positive impacts in healthcare.



How do you practice leadership in your daily nursing roles? Please share your thoughts and strategies in the comments below or join us next month as we explore new ways to grow and lead together.




References


Ansari, A., Malikb, A., & Singha, R. (2024). Distributive leadership and psychological capital among healthcare professionals: Investigating the mediating role of psychological contract. International Journal of Healthcare Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/20479700.2024.2428125


Wang, J., Yuan, Z., He, H., Jin, M., Zeng, L., Teng, M., & Ren, Q. (2024). Development and psychometric testing of the psychological capital questionnaire for nurses. BMC Nursing, 23 (1), 1-11.  doi.10.1186/s12912-024-02633-1


Zhang, J., Rehman, S., Addas, A., & Ahmad, J. (2024). Influence of work-life balance on mental health among nurses: The mediating role of psychological capital and job satisfaction. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 17, 4249-4262. doi: 10.2147/PRBM.S497305


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