Explaining the Characteristics of Nursing Managers in Transformational Management: A Qualitative Study

Background: Transformational management (TM) focuses on the characteristics and behaviors required for a manager to empower and motivate team members. Nursing managers and leaders who practice TM mostly demonstrate varying degrees of transformational characteristics. Objectives: This study aimed to explain the characteristics of nursing managers in TM. Methods: In this study, we used the qualitative content analysis method. Twenty-two nursing managers were selected through purposive sampling within April 2022 to September 2023. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Data analysis followed the technique recommended by Graneheim and Lundman (2020). All interview sessions were recorded, transcribed in a Word file, and subsequently entered and analyzed in MAXQDA (2020). Results: After analyzing the data and extracting 423 open codes, seven subcategories and three final categories emerged regarding the characteristics required for nursing managers in TM. The identified characteristics in this study include the creation of a transformational culture, an ethics-oriented approach, and institutionalization of changes. Conclusions: By identifying and applying the characteristics essential to TM, nursing managers can initiate valuable changes. This, in turn, leads to transformation within their management style, the nursing profession, and the improvement of health services.