How nurses in a developing country perceive and experience leadership: A qualitative study

Background In Indonesia, information on and research into how Indonesian nurses perceive and experience leadership and leadership roles is limited. Aims This study was designed to identify Indonesian nurses' perceptions and experiences of leadership and nurse leadership roles in the hospital setting. Design A qualitative study with semi-structured interviews. Methods The study was conducted in a large, urban hospital in Indonesia. Twenty nurses who had worked in this hospital for more than a year were interviewed. A thematic approach was used for data analysis. This study is conducted and reported according to the SRQR checklist. Results The participants' perceptions and experiences of leadership were organized within three themes: searching for a description of leadership, viewing leadership and management as the same, and experiencing limited leadership opportunities. Impact statements The study revealed little evidence that nurses were being empowered to provide leadership within the organization. Although nurses in many developed countries now serve on governing boards, this is not immediately foreseeable for nurses in Indonesia. Conclusions The participants' view of leadership in nursing was not overtly critical. Perhaps they did not understand that leadership is a dynamic concept and that it might be perceived differently depending on the context.