Clinical leaders in paediatric nursing: a pilot study

This pilot study explored the appropriateness and suitability of a questionnaire for discovering who the clinical nurse leaders are in a paediatric unit of a large NHS trust and what the qualities and characteristics of clinical leaders might be. Thirteen respondents made 24 separate nominations for clinical leaders, 20 of whom were 'F' grade junior sisters who were seen as having the clinical leadership qualities of: coping well with change; integrity; being supportive; considering relationships valuable; being flexible; and clinical competence. These results highlight aspects of clinical leadership in paediatrics and the value of conducting a pilot study.