Nursing Leadership: Annotated Bibliography

O’Conner, S. K., Looman, W. S., Lindeke, L. L., Garwick, A., & Leonard, B. (2009). Preparing pediatric nurse leaders for practice. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 33(1), 73-77. doi: 10.1097/01.NAQ.0000343354.24032.51

Researchers asked mastered prepared graduates what areas needed additional research, and CSHCN was the number one priority. The article’s strength lays in its evidence-based practice and team/care interdisciplinary practices. However, the sample size is weak because it was small. It is important for nursing leaders because it emphasizes that nursing leaders have two goals: they must devise ways to maintain or recruit pediatric nurses and encourage nursing role development to perfect ways to care for CSHCN.  I liked that article highlighted the urgency of further research. Overall, this is a helpful source because it emphasizes teamwork in the nursing community. I think this is a valuable resource for those who want to conduct further studies and find out means to provide additional learning tools for nursing leaders. 

Randall Andrews, D., Richard, D. C., Robinson, P., Celano, P., & Hallaron, J. (2012). The influence of staff nurse perception of leadership style on satisfaction with leadership: A cross-sectional survey of pediatric nurses. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 49(9), 1103-1111. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.03.007

This article intended to compare the difference between leadership styles and how they affected pediatric nurses. The weakness was in its relatively small sample size of 16 supervisors, and it was based on the, often criticized, “Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire.”  The study served a valid purpose in identifying a leader’s strengths, so it will be helpful for nurse leaders, and its strength is its content because it serves to find out ways to retain nurses. I liked that the article suggested nurse leaders and advanced practice nurses play a crucial role in keeping nurses. The subject is worth pursuing because it is difficult, yet imperative, to retain pediatric nurses.

Witkoski Stimpfel, A., Lake, E. T., Barton, S., Chavanu Gorman, K., & Aiken, L. H. (2013). How differing shift lengths relate to quality outcomes in Pediatrics. Journal of Nursing Administration, 43(2), 95-100. doi:10.1097/NNA.0b013e31827f2244

The article describes study results based on 3710 pediatric RNs who worked in 342 hospitals. The study’s purpose was to find if longer shifts resulted in mediocre care in pediatric settings. Its weaknesses lay in the observational and cross-sectional design, and the occasional bias and inaccurate recall in the participants’ reports. However, its strength is in the content. Often long shifts lead to health issues for nurses. It’s important for leaders because it is a motivational tool to design ways to keep their staff healthy. I thought this article was a valuable resource for those who are considering nursing leadership. When we become leaders in the nursing community, we have to consider both our patients and the nurses.