Assessment of a Leadership Enhancement Program for Nursing Managers of An Acute General Hospital in Hong Kong

BACKGROUND: With the aim to enhance the senior nursing managers to be caring leaders so that they can nurture their team members to be holistic care providers, a one year program has been developed with emphasis on self-reflection and self-cultivation. PURPOSE: It aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a one-year leadership enhancement program in an acute general hospital. DESIGN & METHODS: Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted. A pre and post questionnaire survey and the content analysis of self-reflective essays were conducted. RESULTS: The overall means of the servant leadership scale and the workplace wellness scale were significantly higher after the program. Both scales were also found to have a significantly medium level of positive correlation. Reflective essays showed positive feedbacks complementing the quantitative data that the program was well received and effective. CONCLUSION: A servant leadership approach may be one way for hospital management to enhance a caring environment and a more quality workforce.