Exploring the transformational leadership capacities of nurse supervisors in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a major challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. This study examined how hospital nurse supervisors in Saudi Arabia applied transformational leadership (TL) skills during the pandemic, as perceived by staff nurses. It also identified effective strategies and challenges nurse supervisors encountered during crises. Conducted across hospitals in Saudi Arabia, this quantitative cross-sectional study included 916 staff nurses. Data was collected from January to April 2023 through a 19-item survey questionnaire on TL. The six aspects of TL (Charisma, Social, Vision, Transactional, Delegation, and Execution) were consistently observed among nurse supervisors, with an average score of 2.99±1.014. All paired domains, except Charisma, showed strong positive correlations, indicating solid relationships within each pair. Identified best practices of nurse supervisors included shared goals, supervision, mentorship, and incentives. However, challenges included a sudden increase in patient numbers, limited resources, and nurses' concerns about health and safety. These findings can guide policymakers in developing leadership programs to strengthen nurses' leadership skills, particularly in crisis situations.