Transformational leadership: A call to public health nurses

Julie A. Willems Van Dijk, MSN, Marathon County Health Department, 1200 Lake View Drive, Room 200, Wausau, WI 54403, 715-261-1900, jawvd@mail.co.marathon.wi.us

In a time of major challenges to the public health system, the voices of public health nurses are important to be heard. This presentation will explore the concept of transformational leadership and its implications for public health nurses in an attempt to inspire public health nurses to expand their leadership commitment. Transformational leadership is a leadership model that is grounded in vision and interaction between leaders and followers. Based on Burns’ (1978) and Bass’ (1985) definitions of transformational leadership, the key attributes of individualized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration will be presented. The natural linkages between each attribute and the clinical practice of public health nursing will be emphasized. Recommendations for public health nurses including increasing opportunities for further leadership training, expanding research studies of transformational leadership in public health nursing, and encouraging public health nurses to apply leadership skills in informal and formal settings will be discussed.

Bass, B. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. New York: The Free Press.

Burns, J. (1978). Leadership. New York: Harper & Row.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant (learner) will be able to

1. Describe the attributes of transformational leadership.
2. Link the attributes of transformational leadership with clinical public health nursing practice.
3. Affirm the need for public health nurses’ voices in public health leadership.
4. Commit to developing one’s own leadership competency and applying these leadership skills in one’s community.

Keywords: Leadership, Competency

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation

Future Nurses

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA