Concepts of leadership among nurses at a hospital in the north of Minas Gerais

Abstract

This study aimed at understanding the concepts attributed by nurses to leadership at a public hospital in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil. A qualitative study was developed through active interviews with thirteen nurses who have worked for over a year in the institution, supported by the theoretical perspective of social constructionism. The study resulted in two thematic axes: practices of hospital nursing leadership and abilities of the nurse demonstrating leadership in the hospital scenario. Leadership was viewed as an ability that is perfected through experience, which is influenced according to organizational purposes. The overload of activities performed by the nurses was identified as harmful for the development of effective leadership. Communication, appreciation of intersubjectivity and authority were seen as important abilities for the organization of the nursing routine. It is necessary for hospital organizations to implement professional development activities for nurses demonstrating leadership to guarantee the quality of the healthcare provided in face of the contemporaneous needs of work rationalization.

Descriptors: Leadership; Personnel Administration, Hospital; Nursing.