The Role of Women in Leadership and Management Positions in Nursing: A Qualitative Study to Explore the Hardships that are being Faced by Women Who Hold Top Positions in Nursing in Malta

Abstract

The gender gap in leadership is a broad topic which also incorporates diverse studies, with each study providing different justifications for the characteristics of effective leadership. The main aim of this qualitative study is to examine the role of women in leadership in nursing who work in primary healthcare in Malta. This research was set to probe the experiences of women in leadership together with the barriers they face throughout their leadership role. The study was analysed from a constructivist paradigm point of view. The data was gathered through in-depth interviews which were analysed manually by using a hybrid approach design. Amidst the various perceptions gleaned from the study, important aspects that are crucial for successful leadership arose. Furthermore, the importance of communication in leadership, together with the situation of the Maltese context, were explored. In the findings, the participants displayed a clear understanding of effective leadership, one that incorporates the employment of mitigation with various stakeholders. The main recommendations from the study are that the primary healthcare sector should be equipped with more nurses so that new services can be introduced, together with the importance of training programmes in all strata.