Authentic Leadership and Clinical Nurse Outcomes: A Secondary Analysis of A Statewide Study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationships between authentic leadership (AL) and work environment, job enjoyment, and intent to leave (ITL) among hospital-based clinical nurses in New Jersey. BACKGROUND: Nearly 40% of nurses in the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey reported ITL as the profession within 5 years, driven by stress, burnout, and workload. Although healthy work environments improve nurse retention and well-being, AL remains an underexplored influence on nurse outcomes. METHODS: Secondary analysis of a descriptive, cross-sectional statewide study. RESULTS: AL scores were significantly associated with healthier work environment subscales (communication, collaboration, decision-making, staffing, and recognition) (β=1.05 to 1.20, P<0.001), greater job enjoyment (β=2.89, P<0.001) and lower ITL (β=-1.64, P<0.001). Working in a facility with a union was not significant in the models. CONCLUSION: Findings from this statewide study demonstrated that clinical nurses who perceive higher AL report healthier work environments, increased job enjoyment, and lower ITL.