Developing the Next Generation of Nursing Disciplinary Leaders in Higher Education: Protocol for a Sequential Mixed...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Higher Education Leadership
• Academic Administration

Background:

• Higher education (HE) in Australia and New Zealand faces challenges in nurse academic leadership due to restructuring.
• Increasing workforce diversity and global issues necessitate evolving leadership qualities for nurse educators.
• A gap exists in research identifying core attributes for nurse academic leaders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish an evidence-based framework of core attributes for leading nursing in Australian and New Zealand HE.
• To inform the development of future nurse academic leaders.

Main Methods:

• A two-phase sequential mixed-methods design was employed.
• Phase 1: Scoping review to identify potential leadership qualities, behaviors, and characteristics.
• Phase 2: Delphi technique with nursing faculty leaders in Australia and New Zealand via e-surveys.

Main Results:

• The scoping review will synthesize current knowledge on academic nurse leader attributes.
• The Delphi study will yield quantitative and qualitative data on essential leadership competencies.
• Findings will inform the preparation and recruitment of future academic nurse leaders.

Conclusions:

• An evidence-based set of core attributes will be generated for nurse academic leadership.
• These attributes will enhance recruitment processes and postgraduate leadership programs.
• The findings are transferable to other HE disciplines facing academic restructuring.