Nurse Leaders’ Motivational Forces in Developing a Health-Promoting Work Environment: A Hermeneutic Study

Background: The literature review highlights that a motivated leader plays a key role in motivating employees and fostering a health-promoting work environment. Despite its importance, there is limited knowledge about the motivational forces, from a caring science perspective, that drive nurse leaders to develop a health-promoting work environment.

Aim: This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the motivational forces driving nurse leaders toward developing a health-promoting work environment.

Method: A qualitative design with a hermeneutic approach inspired by Gadamer was chosen. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 13 nurse leaders in northern Norway between December 2023 and February 2024. The Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) were followed in reporting the results.

Findings: The nurse leader’s motivational forces in developing a health-promoting work environment imbued with an ethos of (1) sense of inner responsibility for promoting the wellbeing of others, (2) sense of trusting relationships in the workplace, (3) sense of mastery through learning and development, and (4) sense of recognition from superiors through being seen, supported, and involved.

Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of raising awareness and articulating nurse leaders’ underlying motives and values. Doing so transforms abstract concepts into tangible factors that stakeholders can grasp. In particular, this insight provides valuable guidance to politicians and decision-makers on how to facilitate improved working conditions for nurse leaders, thereby maintaining and enhancing their motivation.

Implications for Nursing Leadership: The findings of this study recommend that superior leaders and policymakers should prioritize involving nurse leaders in decision-making and promoting their autonomy and room for action. In addition, it suggests facilitating further education and training programs for leaders, as well as maintaining leadership networks where nurse leaders can reflect, exchange experiences, and address challenges.