Nursing is a profession deeply rooted in care, compassion and the desire to make a meaningful impact on a patient’s life.
As a nurse’s career progresses, many step into leadership roles, whether by choice or due to circumstances such as staff shortages to ensure that teams function smoothly and patient care remains uninterrupted.
Whether you aspire to become a nurse leader or are already in a leadership role, this guide offers a comprehensive look at leadership in nursing from the diverse roles available to the qualities required to be an effective nurse leader.
What do nurse leaders do?
Nurse leaders in Australia are integral to the success of healthcare delivery. They are the backbone of teams and are vital in not just providing day-to-day leadership but also in shaping the workplace culture and strategic direction of their department or unit.
As an experienced registered nurse who has been a nurse leader herself, Madeline Kessler is aware of the multifaceted nature of nurse leadership. “It is a multidimensional role that requires you to juggle many balls while having excellent communication skills, listening skills and being an open door for staff who are having issues.”
While it can vary depending on the role and healthcare facility, here are some of the responsibilities of nurse leaders:
Oversee nursing teams
This includes ensuring that staff are properly trained and supported as well as managing staff wellbeing and professional development.
Manage quality of patient care
While nurse leaders may not always be directly involved in patient care, they are responsible for overseeing the quality of patient care delivered by the team. Their role also includes addressing any clinical issues or complications that arise during patient care.
Workplace culture and morale
A key aspect of nurse leadership is creating a positive workplace culture where staff are happy, engaged and feel safe and empowered to speak up.
Leadership in crisis and change management
Nurse leaders are critical in managing crises, whether it’s dealing with staff conflicts or a public health emergency. They are also responsible for driving change in healthcare practices and adapting their teams to new technologies and evolving healthcare needs.
Operational management
This includes budgeting, resource allocation, administrative duties and managing the day-to-day operations of their department or unit.
Policy development and implementation
Nurse leaders may help develop and implement nursing policies and procedures to improve patient safety and enhance clinical care.
Roles available in nurse leadership
There are a wide array of roles available in nurse leadership including:
Associate nurse unit manager
An associate nurse unit manager works closely with the nurse unit manager and as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure the provision of high quality patient oriented care.
They may assist with administrative tasks, implementing practice improvements, guiding junior staff and supporting the nurse unit manager in leadership and operational duties.
Associate nurse unit managers earn an average salary of $105,000 per year in Australia and these roles typically require a minimum of three years of experience along with excellent communication, leadership and interpersonal skills. Depending on the role, some may also require a postgraduate qualification.
Nurse unit manager
A nurse unit manager is responsible for providing clinical leadership, managing operations, liaising with interdisciplinary teams and developing and implementing care procedures and policies.
Their role requires a combination of technical and soft skills which includes clinical nursing experience, communication, teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution and time management.
Nurse unit managers earn an average annual salary of $125,000 to $135,000 and these roles typically require relevant work and leadership experience in a senior nursing position. Some roles may also require a postgraduate qualification.
Nurse educator
Nurse educators design, plan and implement learning programs for future and current nurses within hospitals, healthcare facilities and non-clinical settings. Their role is to ensure that nurses are kept up to date with the latest nursing techniques, technologies and practices to deliver safe and effective nursing care.
A nurse educator may oversee their students’ clinical practice, facilitate group discussions in the classroom, mentor aspiring nurses and undertake research.
Nurse educators earn an average of $110,000 to $130,000 annually. Requirements for becoming a nurse educator typically include several years of nursing experience along with a postgraduate degree that aligns with their professional goals.
Clinical nurse specialist
A clinical nurse specialist is a registered nurse who has advanced expertise in a particular area of nursing.
Their role includes supervising the delivery of quality patient care, leading initiatives to improve quality, enhancing patient outcomes and nursing standards, providing direct patient care – especially in more complex clinical tasks and procedures, and mentoring and educating less experienced nursing staff.
They are expected to demonstrate leadership skills, pursue professional development, collaborate with other healthcare professionals and possess well-developed clinical problem-solving skills.
Clinical nurse specialists earn an average of $113,000 per year. To become a clinical nurse specialist, you will need to gain clinical experience, pursue a specialisation and attain a postgraduate degree in that area of speciality.
Director of nursing
The director of nursing leads and manages the nursing team, drives strategic and operational initiatives to enhance patient care and ensures the highest standards of clinical governance and safety.
Some of their responsibilities may include managing and overseeing the nursing department’s budget, building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders and facilitating ongoing education and training programs.
A director of nursing earns an average of $135,000 to $155,000 per year. The role typically requires relevant nursing experience, proven experience working within a senior leadership role and excellent communication, leadership and interpersonal skills. Some roles may also require a postgraduate qualification.
Qualities of a great nurse leader
Being an effective nurse leader requires a blend of skills and personal qualities. Below are some of the most important attributes.
Emotional intelligence
Effective nurse leaders have high emotional intelligence to manage the expectations of management and nursing staff, the growing demands placed on the healthcare system and the pressures of leadership.
They also have a high degree of self-awareness where they accept responsibility for their actions and mistakes and recognise the impact of their emotions on themselves and those around them. “I think a good leader is focused on getting it right, not being right and working a team to that philosophy,” says Madeline.
In addition to self-awareness, emotionally intelligent leaders have traits such as empathy, resilience and active listening. These qualities enable them to develop positive relationships, understand their team’s needs and foster a supportive and collaborative environment.
Prioritising boundaries and self-care
With the immense amount of pressure, stress and responsibility that can come with a nurse leadership role, it’s important for nurse leaders to set professional boundaries and take care of their emotional, physical and psychological needs to avoid burnout.
As a highly accomplished and dedicated registered clinical nurse with over 40 years of experience, Michelle Deroubaix stresses the importance of boundaries and self-care for nurse leaders. “They have to have a place that they can go to appreciate themselves, give to themselves, so that they have the energy to come back the next day and be that great nurse we want them to be.”
Effective communication
Effective communication in nursing, especially as a nurse leader is important for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of patients as well as maintaining the mental health and job satisfaction of nurses.
Strong communication skills are vital for nurse leaders to convey important information, provide direction and listen to feedback.
By actively listening and fostering a culture of open dialogue, staff can voice their concerns, ask questions and share ideas. This not only creates a more supportive and transparent work environment but also enhances patient care.
“The most impactful nurse leaders are those who create a positive workplace culture. When the staff are happy, the patients feel it too,” says Madeline.
Passion and clinical expertise
Great nurse leaders have a genuine passion for nursing which drives them to continually inspire and motivate their team in delivering the highest quality of care.
They are also clinically knowledgeable and competent, staying up-to-date with the latest medical practices and advancements. Their expertise allows them to not only make informed decisions that directly impact patient outcomes but also provide the necessary guidance and support to their team.
Fostering psychological safety
Nurse leaders play an important role in creating psychologically safe work environments where team members feel comfortable sharing their concerns and asking questions.
“The biggest reward you could probably get from taking on a leadership role is that you can basically provide a psychologically safe workplace and create an amazing workplace culture where people feel good about going to work,” says Michelle.
Without it, open conversations pertaining to problems in the workplace, patient care and staff wellbeing may be stifled, leading to disengaged and unhappy staff.
Resilience
Resilience is a vital quality for effective nurse leaders as it enables them to navigate the many challenges they face. It equips them with the ability to handle adversity in the workplace and continue thriving in an increasingly complex healthcare environment.
It also provides them with the skills to create resilient teams, fostering a positive environment of trust, accountability, resourcefulness, compassion and humility.
The realities of a leadership career in nursing
While a career in nurse leadership offers benefits such as opportunities for professional growth and increased autonomy, the role comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some things to consider when it comes to a career in nurse leadership:
Work-life balance with increased responsibilities
Nurse leaders often have a set schedule with no night shifts and weekends off. However, juggling multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced work environment may mean that they have to work after hours to complete administrative tasks such as rostering. They may also need to address urgent team or organisational concerns outside of regular work hours.
This can, however, vary depending on the healthcare facility and whether the nurse leader works in the public or private sector.
Increased autonomy
As nurse leaders have more decision-making power, they have the ability to shape staff job satisfaction, quality of care and patient outcomes.
Nurse leaders can, for example, implement nursing policies and procedures to influence the quality of patient care and create a positive work environment to ensure that staff feel safe, supported and happy.
Pressures and challenges
While there are benefits to becoming a nurse leader, there are also pressures and challenges that come with the role. Balancing the needs of various stakeholders can be overwhelming and nurse leaders often find themselves under immense pressure to perform on multiple fronts.
“I wasn’t prepared when I looked back at stepping into leadership roles,” says Madeline. “Just the enormity of the pressure of managing not only your patients, their families and staff but also management.”
Career progression and financial rewards
Working in nurse leadership often paves the path for future career advancement, whether it’s progressing to higher management positions or pursuing specialised leadership roles.
There is also often increased financial rewards and benefits when working in nurse leadership roles. As an example, registered nurses typically make an average of $85,000 to $95,000 in Australia while a nurse unit manager earns an annual salary of $125,000 to $135,000, approximately 36 per cent more.
Personal development
A leadership role provides nurse leaders with the opportunity to hone their skills in communication, leadership, problem-solving and emotional intelligence.
The experience of managing a team, balancing the demands of staff and management and navigating complex situations also contributes to their professional and personal growth.
The need for highly qualified nurse leaders
With growing demands on healthcare services, workforce challenges and the increasing complexity of patient care, highly qualified nurse leaders are needed to navigate these challenges effectively.
Managing growing healthcare needs
With an ageing population and rising demand for healthcare services, there is a need for a healthcare workforce that is able to provide high-quality, patient-centred care.
Highly qualified nurse leaders play a pivotal role in ensuring that teams are well prepared to do so by guiding and mentoring their teams, managing resources, streamlining workflows and ensuring that patient care remains a top priority.
Addressing workforce challenges
Australia is experiencing nurse retention issues with one-fifth of Australia’s registered nurses intending to leave their current role in the next 12 months stating work environment as the most important factor influencing that decision.
Having highly qualified nurse leaders that can create a positive workplace culture and foster a supportive environment that promotes open communication, recognition and sense of belonging can help decrease turnover and increase retention rates.
Adapting to changes in healthcare
Healthcare is continually evolving with new technologies, regulations and practices shaping the way care is delivered.
In this fast-paced environment, highly qualified nurse leaders are vital in implementing new technologies and best practices, adapting to management demands and fostering innovation within their teams.
Supporting young nurse leaders
Due to staff shortages, many younger nurses are stepping into leadership roles earlier in their careers, sometimes before having fully developed the necessary leadership skills. As a result, there is a need for highly qualified nurse leaders to serve as mentors, guiding and supporting the next generation of leaders.
By offering guidance and nurturing their growth, experienced leaders can ensure that these emerging young nurse leaders have the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their roles.
Steps to pursuing a career in nurse leadership
Becoming a nurse leader requires more than just practical experience, it involves reflecting on your motivations, seeking mentorship and having a commitment to continuous learning and education.
- Reflect on why you want to become a nurse leader
Take the time to reflect on your motivations for pursuing a leadership role. Consider what drives you to lead and how it aligns with your values and professional goals.
“I think a great exercise for anyone considering a leadership role is to do a values deep dive,” says Madeline. “Dig in to see what your values are around nursing, your goals and where you see yourself going in your career.”
Some questions you could ask yourself include what your core values are around nursing and patient care, why you want to take on a leadership role and how you envision yourself making an impact as a leader. - Gain clinical experience
Many nurse leaders begin their careers with years of hands-on nursing experience before transitioning into leadership.
This foundational experience will allow you to develop an understanding of the day-to-day challenges faced by nursing staff and gain valuable insights into patient care. - Seek mentorship
Find a mentor who embodies the qualities of a great leader and someone that you believe can help develop your leadership style, navigate career decisions and build confidence. - Participate in internal programs
Many nurses gain leadership skills through internal hospital or healthcare programs. These programs provide an opportunity to develop skills in areas such as communication and problem-solving, allowing you to build confidence before transitioning into a formal nurse leadership role. - Pursue a postgraduate degree
Pursuing advanced education can equip you with the clinical performance capabilities and leadership skills required to manage a team and deliver superior patient care.
Several universities offer programs in nurse leadership including:
- Graduate Certificate of Nursing Majoring in Leadership and Management at James Cook University
- Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership at Southern Cross University
- Master of Nursing Majoring in Leadership and Management at James Cook University
- Master of Nursing (Leadership) at Victoria University
- Master of Healthcare Leadership at Southern Cross University
Advancing your nursing career through education
While nurse leadership presents its own set of challenges, it also offers unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth.
If you’re considering taking the next step in your nursing career, whether it’s gaining a comprehensive understanding of healthcare management or developing skills in nurse leadership, speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor to learn more about the postgraduate nursing and leadership courses offered by our university partners.
