Head Nurse's Ethical Leadership, Work Environment and Patients' Outcomes:A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Multilevel Study

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the relationship between nursing ethical leadership style, work environment (workload, interpersonal conflicts) and patients' objective nursing-sensitive outcomes (accidental falls, pressure ulcers, nosocomial infections, restraints and deaths). DESIGN: Nationwide multicentre cross-sectional multilevel survey. METHODS: Validated self-report scales were used to assess nurses' perceptions of ethical leadership, workload and interpersonal conflict. Nursing staffing and objective patient' nursing-sensitive outcomes were measured at the ward level. Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted. Structural equation modelling examined the relationships among these variables based on Donabedian's conceptual framework. RESULTS: Data from 2349 nurses across 158 wards in 25 Italian acute care hospitals were analysed. The multilevel model showed an excellent fit. Ethical leadership was negatively associated with both workload and interpersonal conflict. Workload was significantly linked to higher rates of pressure ulcers, falls and deaths in patients. Ethical leadership was indirectly associated with improved patient outcomes through reduced workload. CONCLUSION: Head nurses' ethical leadership has a pivotal role in shaping the work environment and enhancing nursing-sensitive outcomes by reducing workload and fostering positive interpersonal dynamics. These findings emphasise the need for healthcare organisations to invest in ethical leadership development as a critical strategy for improving care quality and promoting better patient outcomes. IMPACT: These findings emphasise the need for healthcare organisations to invest in ethical leadership development as a critical strategy for improving care quality and promoting safer, more effective patient outcomes. REPORTING METHOD: The study adhered to The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study did not include patient or public involvement. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER CONTRIBUTE TO THE WIDER GLOBAL CLINICAL COMMUNITY?: Cultivating moral values and principles in leadership enables leaders to effectively communicate these values to their staff. Addressing unethical behaviours, fostering open dialogue about organisational ethics, and supporting leaders in the ethical decision-making process contribute to a healthier nurses' work environment. Healthcare organisations investing in the development and promotion of ethical leaders improve care quality. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in the research registry (www.researchregistry.com) under the record number (researchregistry7418), following a published protocol.