Leadership Development Programmes for Clinical Nurses: A Systematic Review
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Damla Gökalp1, Havva Yeşildere Sağlam1, Elif Gürsoy2
1Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kütahya Health Sciences University, Kütahya, Türkiye.
Aim:
To provide a comprehensive understanding of the current leadership development programmes for clinical nurses.
Design:
Systematic review was designed and reported in accordance with the PRISMA and Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guidelines.
Data Sources:
Four electronic databases from 2014 to 2026 studies published were searched.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus and Web of Science. English, full-text literature from 2014 to 2026. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO under the number CRD42024587447.
Results:
A systematic review of 18 studies showed that leadership development programmes significantly improved nurses' relational leadership skills (transformational, paternalistic, authentic, resonant and caring), job satisfaction, organizational commitment and self-efficacy, while reducing emotional exhaustion. For nurse managers, these programmes enhance care management knowledge, build healthier work environments and strengthen the hospital safety climates. Incorporating active learning methods, such as simulations, role-playing, reflective practice and 360° feedback, improves engagement and skill retention.
Conclusion:
Studies show that the conceptual framework of leadership programmes for nurses and nurse managers varies with the skills/behaviours they aim to develop, and there is no standardization regarding the programme duration. However, evidence on their impact on institutional and patient outcomes remains limited. These gaps and variables should be considered when structuring leadership programmes in future research.
Relevance To Clinical Practice:
Relevant for clinical nurses, nurse managers and healthcare organizations, with potential to enhance retention, professional growth and indirectly patient care quality. There is a lack of standardized leadership development programmes and insufficient evidence on their impact on organizational and patient outcomes. Programmes improved nurses' leadership competencies, commitment, satisfaction and self-efficacy, while reducing exhaustion; nurse managers gained caring and authentic leadership skills.
Reporting Method:
The reporting method, encompassing data selection, extraction and synthesis, adheres to the PRISMA guidelines and the SWiM framework to ensure methodological transparency, clarity and reproducibility.
Patient Or Public Contribution:
No patient or public contribution.
Trial Registration:
This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO under number CRD42024587447.
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