Improving nurse faculty job satisfaction: An action guide for academic nurse leaders

Abstract

BackgroundAcademic nurse leadership is associated with nurse faculty job satisfaction, yet there is a gap between theoretical understanding of leadership concepts and specific actionable behaviors that can be implemented to increase nurse faculty job satisfaction. PurposeThe purpose of this study was to create an evidence-based action guide for academic nurse leaders at all leadership levels to use to improve nurse faculty job satisfaction. MethodsA two-phase approach was used. In Phase 1, a review of the literature was conducted to identify core concepts of 5 relational leadership theories (adaptive, authentic, servant, transformational, and human-centered leadership in healthcare). In Phase 2, the leadership core concepts were cross analyzed and mapped to academic nurse leader behaviors that impact nurse faculty job satisfaction. ResultsHuman-centered leadership in healthcare emerged as the best-fit leadership theory to academic nurse leader behaviors that improve nurse faculty job satisfaction. Servant, transformational, and authentic leadership were somewhat aligned, and adaptive leadership was least aligned. ConclusionCore concepts of human-centered leadership in healthcare informed the creation of an action guide for academic nurse leaders, which details getting to know your faculty, contributing to a positive work environment, and investing in yourself. The action guide can be used by academic nurse leaders at all levels to enhance nurse faculty satisfaction.