Nurse Managers' Perceived Self-leadership Levels: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the perceived levels of self-leadership among nurse managers in the United States. BACKGROUND: Self-leadership is the ability to influence and engage oneself to be self-aware and responsible, and leverage strengths to perform. Despite benefits identified from extant literature, there are no studies on self-leadership among nurse managers in the United States. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Eighty-eight nurse managers completed a survey using the Revised Self-Leadership Questionnaire. RESULTS: Nurse managers identified moderate levels of self-leadership; the strategies with the lowest scores were constructive thought strategies, self-reward behaviors, and visualizing performance. There was a relationship between age and the identified self-leadership levels. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies are needed to understand self-leadership among nurse leaders in the United States and beyond. There is an opportunity to increase nurse managers' self-leadership level by focusing on interventions to increase constructive thought pattern strategies, self-reward behaviors, and visualizing successful performance.

Readiness Tests: A Strategy to Boost Certification Success.

Certification of nursing staff has been associated with improved patient outcomes; however, time, cost, and test anxiety are barriers to achieving it. Readiness tests can reduce test anxiety related to certification examinations. A readiness test helps nurses prepare by providing a simulated experience that matches the actual testing environment and identifying knowledge gaps. These tests can be added to other steps nurse leaders can take to encourage certification and support staff professional development.

Board Certification: A Role for the Nurse Educator.

Nurse educators are essential to the success of other nurses by supporting the attainment of professional competencies, knowledge, and continual development. In addition, board-certified nurse educators are also role models in lifelong learning. They are in an optimal position to promote and support others in pursuit of board certification. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(11):497-499.].

The Importance of Board Certification.

The investment to support and obtain board certification demonstrates a nurse leader's commitment to their staff, the organization, and the communities they serve. It is important for nurse leaders to appreciate how organizational support of board certification can positively impact patient care and to be advocates for funding to support board certification for their staff. This month's Magnet® Perspectives column discusses the empirical evidence, as well as the professional value of certification.