Two Relational Leadership Styles as Predictors of Healthy Work Environments

OBJECTIVE The primary aim was to determine if perceptions of 2 different relational leadership styles, transformational leadership and authentic nurse leadership, predicted perceptions of a healthy work environment for clinical nurses and leaders. BACKGROUND Relational leadership frameworks have consistently demonstrated associations with positive staff, organizational, and patient-related outcomes. Yet, there is minimal research postpandemic in the U.S. METHODS A cross-sectional, correlational study with multivariate regression was conducted using a sample of 3145 clinical nurses and nurse leaders obtained by snowball sampling in DAISY organizations in the United States. RESULTS The 2 relational leadership styles predicted 50% of clinical nurses' perceptions of healthy work environments. Perceptions of leadership and healthy work environment were positive for both clinical nurses and leaders. Authentic nurse leadership and transformational leadership were highly correlated. CONCLUSIONS There is a postpandemic positive change in perceptions of the work environment among clinical nurses and leaders, and relational leadership styles strongly influence these perceptions.