Exploring the Lived Experiences of Young Nurse Leaders on the Leadership Styles and Strategic Management Approaches: Basis for Leadership and Management Program

This research examined the experiences of the younger generation of nurse leaders regarding their leadership positions, leadership approaches, and strategic management techniques in a primary hospital environment. This involved examining the difficulties experienced by younger nurse leaders, the leadership techniques used by these nurse leaders, and the strategies adopted in handling healthcare duties, as well as staff and patient management. This research sought to provide a deeper insight into the ability of younger nurse leaders to handle leadership duties in spite of having less experience. A qualitative descriptive research design was used for this research, anchored on the constructivist-interpretivist paradigm. A total of nine (9) young nurse leaders participated in this study, and their selection was done using purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured interviews to obtain a more comprehensive description of the respondents' experiences, views, and management approaches. Thematic analysis using the Kelly Grid was conducted to analyze the data collected. Five themes were identified from the findings: Leadership Identity Development, Collaborative Leadership Behaviors, Operational Management of Patient Care, Professional Trust Building, and Emotional Leadership and Resilience. The participants faced difficulties regarding workload pressures, decision-making, communication, and interactions with more experienced nurses. However, participants displayed collaborative, democratic, and transformational leadership behaviors. Strategies for effective management included delegation, prioritization, communication, collaboration, and efficient resource allocation, which helped sustain quality patient care and operational effectiveness. The findings suggest that early exposure to leadership, mentorship, and organizational support is vital in building leadership skills and resilience among young nurses.