Public Health Leadership: Quality and Effectiveness of a Leader

Abstract

This was a qualitative study to investigate leaders in public health nursing. The purpose of this research study is to develop a better understanding of the qualities essential for effective leadership in public health, and if those qualities will also serve future leaders in public health. The study participants were selected through reputational case and interviewed using a structured set of questions. The data was audio taped and transcribed. Study participants provided rich and varied responses to the questions. The results showed there were a number of similarities in the participants responses regarding qualities needed to be an effective leader in public health. The consensus of the participants regarding whether they believed their nursing education prepared them or not was that the nursing process served them well, but they learned most of their leadership skills in graduate school or through other specific training. The qualities they believed future leaders in public health will require were partnership/collaboration, nurturing staff, assertiveness, courage/risk taking, communication and being a strategic thinker.