Other Titles
Rapid Presentation Round
Abstract
Background: Effective, empowered nurse leaders are central to the development of a healthy work environment and workforce (Morvati et al., 2024). Student and early career nurse involvement in professional organizations is thought to encourage leadership growth and potential by promoting leadership skills, self-efficacy, networking and providing a sense of belonging to the profession (Beal, 2022). However, there is limited empirical evidence identifying the specific factors that influence a nurse’s decision to pursue or accept leadership positions. Understanding key factors, such as mentorship, professional organization involvement, and organizational support, is essential for addressing leadership gaps within the nursing workforce. This evidence would help in strengthening the pipeline of nurse leaders, ensuring the sustainability of healthy work environments (AONL, 2022).
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine factors that influence nurses’ decisions to pursue leadership roles, focusing on key motivators and barriers such as professional organization involvement, mentorship, leadership training, and organizational support.
Methods: An anonymous online survey was developed using the AONL Nurse Leader Core Competencies as a framework (AONL, 2022) to obtain perspectives from nurse leaders about factors influencing their decision to become a leader. Approval by the internal research review board was received. The survey was distributed by the researchers using convenience sampling through networking, discussion forums, blogs and other related online venues with an audience of professional nurses. The 39-question survey uses Likert scales and open-ended questions to measure participant responses.
Expected Results: We propose that nurses with higher involvement in professional organizations are more likely to hold or pursue leadership roles. It is also expected that higher levels of perceived mentorship and organizational support will have an impact on attainment of leadership positions. Results are expected to be complete and available by December 2025.
Conclusion: Understanding the factors that influence nurses’ decisions to pursue leadership roles can inform targeted evidence-based interventions ultimately strengthening leadership pipelines in nursing. Empowering nurses to lead is a vital element in creating psychologically safe, collaborative and innovative work environments, which are key components of workforce sustainability (AONL, 2025).
Notes
Presenter notes available in attached slide deck.
Reference list included in attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Beta Delta at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Workforce, Succession Planning, Faculty Development, Nursing Leaders, Leadership, Work Environment, Professional Organizations
Recommended Citation
Murray, Lori; Emory, Deanna Jan; and Kippenbrock, Thomas, "Factors that Empower Nurses to Lead in Support of Healthy and Sustainable Work Environments" (2026). Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE). 49.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/chwe/2026/presentations_2026/49
Conference Name
Creating Healthy Work Environments
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Washington, DC, USA
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-04-29
Factors that Empower Nurses to Lead in Support of Healthy and Sustainable Work Environments
Washington, DC, USA
Background: Effective, empowered nurse leaders are central to the development of a healthy work environment and workforce (Morvati et al., 2024). Student and early career nurse involvement in professional organizations is thought to encourage leadership growth and potential by promoting leadership skills, self-efficacy, networking and providing a sense of belonging to the profession (Beal, 2022). However, there is limited empirical evidence identifying the specific factors that influence a nurse’s decision to pursue or accept leadership positions. Understanding key factors, such as mentorship, professional organization involvement, and organizational support, is essential for addressing leadership gaps within the nursing workforce. This evidence would help in strengthening the pipeline of nurse leaders, ensuring the sustainability of healthy work environments (AONL, 2022).
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine factors that influence nurses’ decisions to pursue leadership roles, focusing on key motivators and barriers such as professional organization involvement, mentorship, leadership training, and organizational support.
Methods: An anonymous online survey was developed using the AONL Nurse Leader Core Competencies as a framework (AONL, 2022) to obtain perspectives from nurse leaders about factors influencing their decision to become a leader. Approval by the internal research review board was received. The survey was distributed by the researchers using convenience sampling through networking, discussion forums, blogs and other related online venues with an audience of professional nurses. The 39-question survey uses Likert scales and open-ended questions to measure participant responses.
Expected Results: We propose that nurses with higher involvement in professional organizations are more likely to hold or pursue leadership roles. It is also expected that higher levels of perceived mentorship and organizational support will have an impact on attainment of leadership positions. Results are expected to be complete and available by December 2025.
Conclusion: Understanding the factors that influence nurses’ decisions to pursue leadership roles can inform targeted evidence-based interventions ultimately strengthening leadership pipelines in nursing. Empowering nurses to lead is a vital element in creating psychologically safe, collaborative and innovative work environments, which are key components of workforce sustainability (AONL, 2025).
Description
The purpose of this study is to examine factors that influence nurses’ decisions to pursue leadership roles, focusing on key motivators and barriers such as professional organization involvement, mentorship, leadership training, and organizational support. Understanding these factors can inform targeted evidence-based interventions to strengthen leadership pipelines in nursing. This can ultimately lead to healthier and more sustainable work environments.