Direct Supervisor Influence on Nurse Engagement

Direct Supervisor Influence on Nurse Engagement by Kelly E. Tapp MSN, University of San Diego, 2010 BSN, Austin Peay State University, 2001 Project Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University September 2018 Abstract Nurse engagement is essential for organizational success. If organizations can engage nurses, they may be able to improve organization and patient outcomes. The purpose of the evidence-based practice project was to use current evidence of direct supervisor influence on nurse engagement to create an educational program for clinical leads to use in their interactions with direct reports. The relationship-based care model was used as a framework for the project, and concepts included work engagement, nurse engagement, recognition versus meaningful recognition, professional development, communication, transformational leadership, and authentic leadership. Before and after attending the education program, clinical leads were given a self-assessment on a 5-point Likert scale to assess their perception of their leadership skills. The data were analyzed using SPSS descriptive statistics to describe differences in pre and post education self-assessments. All of the questions had increased means following the education program. The most improvement was in the following areas: coordinating relationships among staff improved by50% and accepting and using constructive criticism improved by 50%. Clinical leads recognized that having the knowledge and tools would give them the ability to impact nurse engagement. Researchers should continue to study the leader's influence on nurse engagement in relationship to other environmental factors that influence nurse engagement; as well as, how to better prepare leaders to engage nurses in his/her professional roles.Nurse engagement is essential for organizational success. If organizations can engage nurses, they may be able to improve organization and patient outcomes. The purpose of the evidence-based practice project was to use current evidence of direct supervisor influence on nurse engagement to create an educational program for clinical leads to use in their interactions with direct reports. The relationship-based care model was used as a framework for the project, and concepts included work engagement, nurse engagement, recognition versus meaningful recognition, professional development, communication, transformational leadership, and authentic leadership. Before and after attending the education program, clinical leads were given a self-assessment on a 5-point Likert scale to assess their perception of their leadership skills. The data were analyzed using SPSS descriptive statistics to describe differences in pre and post education self-assessments. All of the questions had increased means following the education program. The most improvement was in the following areas: coordinating relationships among staff improved by50% and accepting and using constructive criticism improved by 50%. Clinical leads recognized that having the knowledge and tools would give them the ability to impact nurse engagement. Researchers should continue to study the leader's influence on nurse engagement in relationship to other environmental factors that influence nurse engagement; as well as, how to better prepare leaders to engage nurses in his/her professional roles. Direct Supervisor Influence on Nurse Engagement by Kelly E. Tapp MSN, University of San Diego, 2010 BSN, Austin Peay State University, 2001 Project Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice Walden University September 2018 Acknowledgments I would like to thank the Walden University faculty for their support in this endeavor, my friends and family for their understanding, and my preceptor and colleagues for their support.