Self-Assessed Leadership Influence in Trauma Programs

Members of a trauma program in both informal and formal leadership roles are embedded in the foundation of a trauma center. The presence of leadership influence is required across the continuum, with voices that are heard and the ability to act as a change agent. Current research has not explored whether members of a trauma program perceive they have actual leadership influence.

The purpose of this study was to describe self-assessed leadership influence and identify factors associated with higher and lower self-assessed leadership influence among trauma program professionals.

This quantitative study used a descriptive, cross-sectional design. A study invitation was sent to membership of the Society of Trauma Nurses on November 20, December 4, and December 18, 2024. Participants were invited to complete a survey that included the Shillam-Clipper Leader Minimum Demographic Data Set and the Leadership Influence Self-Assessment instrument. A two-step cluster procedure was used to categorize participants into two groups. Participants included those aged 18 years or older, able to read English, and working in a trauma program in any role (trauma program manager, trauma medical director, outreach, injury prevention, educators, researchers, registrar, clinical staff, or data analyst).

A total of n = 153 participants were included in the analysis. Demographic data were as follows: 86% were female, mean age was 48 years, and 97% reported a practice background as a registered nurse, clinical nurse specialist, or nurse practitioner. The low self-assessed leadership influence group consisted of 93 participants (61%), and the high self-assessed leadership influence group consisted of 60 participants (39%). Ten items were considered important for determining the separation of participants into the two groups. The most important item in the integrity subscale was "Are you making proactive, currently informed decisions?"

Our findings suggest that the scope of trauma program nurses is vast and arguably of critical importance. Overall, nurses did not perceive a sense of accountability, responsibility for outcomes, autonomous decision-making, and/or financial resource access. More training is needed to support nurses in leading according to their own interests, capacities, and opportunities.