Leadership Competencies of the Medical-Surgical Nursing Specialist Nurse

OBJECTIVE: To identify the leadership competencies of Medical-Surgical Nursing Specialist Nurses. METHODS: A quantitative, descriptive study using the Leadership Competencies Questionnaire. 311 Portuguese Medical-Surgical Nursing Specialist Nurses participated. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22.0. RESULTS: Study participants had an above-average self-perception on the scale (mean = 3.5) in all leadership roles, recognizing their leadership competencies. The leadership competencies of Medical-Surgical Nursing Specialist Nurses are balanced across all roles: Mentor (5.80 ± 1.02); Coordinator (5.53 ± 0.86); Facilitator (5.38 ± 1.04); Innovator (5.34 ± 0.88); Director (5.31 ± 1.10); Producer (5.30 ± 0.98); Monitor (5.15 ± 1.00); Corrector (4.79 ± 1.29) CONCLUSIONS: Specialized nursing practice enhances nurses’ self-perceived leadership competencies. Nurses see themselves as leaders focused on internal support and facilitation of collective effort and opportunities for skill development.