Leadership Competencies Availability Among Graduates of Jordanian Nursing Colleges from Clinical Nursing Leader’s (CNL) Perspective

Abstract

The sensitivity and complexity of healthcare sector mandate having competent leaders within nursing graduates worldwide and in Jordan as well. This study used a quantitative method to investigate the degree of leadership competencies availability among nursing graduates of Jordanian nursing colleges from clinical nursing leaders’ (CNL) perspective. The researcher developed a 40 items leadership competency questionnaire for this study that included three dimensions: “Effective communication”, “Interpersonal and team collaboration”, and “Decision-making and problem-solving”. The study sample consisted of 268 CNLs working in governmental and private hospitals in Jordan. Data were collected then analyzed through SPSS by calculating frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. The overall leadership competencies availability level was moderate (Mean = 3.64). However, some variation among leadership competency dimensions availability was reported. Leadership communication competency dimension received a mean score of 3.69 (SD = 0.76) indicating a high availability, and “interpersonal and team collaboration competency” dimension scored also high (Mean = 3.7 SD = 0.8). However, the decision- making and problem-solving competency availability level was moderate and had the lowest availability degree (Mean = 3.55 SD = 0.86). It was highly recommended to incorporate nursing leadership within teaching curriculum over different academic years in an incremental leadership learning goals from fundamental, then to moderate and advance levels. More connections for students with the nursing professional body outside the university may start at early academic stages, connecting them with national nursing councils, Committees, and health organizations to improve their leadership competence and make them ready for workplace when graduating.