Challenges of Leadership Development in Nursing

According to health care consultant and former staff nurse Dr. Tim Porter-O'Grady, the practice of nursing and the emerging realities of health care institutions are at a crossroads. The future paradigm for nursing practice must be rethought in light of upcoming challenges.

Leading a Multigenerational, Diverse Workforce

• Generational and cultural diversity, including workforce differences in attitudes, beliefs, work habits and expectations are challenging for nursing leaders. The four distinct generations in today's workforce include the Veterans (born 1925 to 45), the Baby Boomers (1946 to 64), Generation X (1963 to 80) and the Millennials (1980 to 2000).

Facing Changes in the Workplace

• Nurse leaders must personally engage in an agenda for change in the profession and devise a framework for action. Their challenge is to gain control over their own practice, and empowerment to contest internal quality, regulations, rules, protocols and accreditation curricula.

Succession Planning

• Filling leadership roles in the future is a significant challenge in the face of an ongoing nursing shortage. Strategic planning must assure adequate mentoring, training and opportunities to prepare nurses for future leadership in clinical and academic settings.

Information Management Competence

• Expanding use of digital and virtual technologies challenge nurses to acquire higher levels of information access and skill. New technologies (such as virtual presence) alter fundamental mechanisms of communication and interaction between nurses, patients and others in the system.