[The leadership challenge for nurses]

Abstract

This study aimed at learning the opinion of nurses about the possibility of becoming a leader, identifying the characteristics and abilities of an effective leader and presenting the favorable and unfavorable points related to leadership performance, according to nurses' self-evaluation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 36 hospital nurses and analyzed through the content analysis technique. Results showed that the majority of nurses agree that it is possible to become a leader; credibility, communication and knowledge were characteristics highlighted in a leader; good knowledge, involvement and security were attitudes responsible for nurses' success in their leadership experience, characterizing the favorable points and insecurity and inefficacious communication represented the unfavorable points. Authors concluded that there are perspectives for nurses to improve their performance regarding leadership but they must change their behavior, search for new knowledge and for the development of specific abilities.