Academic nursing leadership: Lessons learned during a pandemic: A qualitative research study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Leadership Studies
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic and faculty shortages necessitate strong academic nurse leaders (ANLs).
• ANLs are crucial for maintaining quality nursing education and professional standards.
• Preparing future nurses requires effective leadership in academic settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences and perspectives of academic nurse leaders during the pandemic.
• To understand the challenges, successes, and failures faced by ANLs.
• To identify lessons learned from ANL pandemic experiences.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive-exploratory qualitative study design.
• Involved 11 academic leaders from a Midwestern college of nursing.
• Utilized virtual focus groups and content analysis of transcripts.

Main Results:

• Three emergent themes: Technology, Time and Change, and Well-being.
• Identified key leadership strategies and practical advice from participants.
• Revealed the impact of the pandemic on ANL roles and responsibilities.

Conclusions:

• ANLs demonstrated resilience by maintaining presence and effective communication.
• Pandemic experiences underscore the need for strategic, emotionally intelligent, and innovative leadership.
• These leadership qualities are essential for navigating complex and evolving higher education and healthcare environments.