The relationships of leadership behaviors, optimism, and coping in head nurses

Head nurses are the front-line managers of nursing units and are therefore responsible for the effective and efficient functioning of those units. What leadership behaviors are necessary for them to competently perform their jobs? Does the possession of certain qualities, such as optimism and the use of specific coping strategies enhance their leadership abilities? These questions were investigated at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, during a two-year period, from fall 1989 through Spring 1991. Data was collected December 1990 through January 1991 on head nurses in the Knoxville area hospitals. The sample of head nurses completed a demographic data sheet. Life Orientation Test instrument, and the Jalowiec Coping scale. The head nurse's immediate supervisors completed the Leadership Behaviors instrument. The Pearson product-moment correlation was computed on the scores derived from instrumentation results. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS).

No significant relationship was found to exist between leadership behaviors, optimism, and coping. There was a significant correlation between the confrontive coping subscale and optimism. Another finding of the study was the relationship between leadership behaviors and years of experience as a head nurse.

The effectiveness of leadership behaviors increases with years of experiences of the head nurse. However, there was no relationship between the age of the nurse and leadership behaviors.

Health care institutions need to focus their efforts on retention of head nurses. One way to increase retention is to provide a comprehensive orientation period for head nurses. Hospital administration should provide an. atmosphere conducive to professional growth and support. Lastly, nurses must take responsibility for mentoring their colleagues.