Evolution of Nursing Leadership: Historical Foundations and Modern Roles

Introduction

The nursing job and roles these employees perform, including leadership, are evolving simultaneously with the healthcare sector. The profession began in the 19th century when nurses cared for the sick and wounded soldiers near their beds (“What is the role,” 2022). In the modern world, their competence includes care, training, promoting a healthy lifestyle, advocating for the patients’ interests, research, and other tasks (Azar, 2021). At the same time, the activities of contemporary nursing leaders are based on the achievements of their predecessors and leadership theories, which have gradually developed.

Nursing Leadership of the Past

The historical perspective demonstrates the experience of nurses of the past and their contribution to nursing leadership development. They established models of care that evolved and improved to provide services. For example, Florence Nightingale, an authoritative nursing founder, applied a scientific approach and data analysis by observing which methods effectively improve patients’ health (Reinking, 2020). Moreover, the leaders of the past were the founders of various programs and institutes necessary for modern nurses. For example, Hampton Robb organized training for nurses, and Mary Nutting, who was Robb’s student, promoted the first university’s nursing program (Broome & Marshall, 2016).

Modern Nursing Leadership

Today’s leaders inherit their knowledge and follow their examples in their activities. Building and testing theories contributed to past and present nursing leadership. They emphasized various factors to improve the efficiency of workflows, from organizing processes in traditional theories to employees’ and leaders’ actions and the leadership concept in later theories (Broome & Marshall, 2016). Modern leaders combine the critical elements of multiple theories in their activities to choose the best approach to work, depending on the situation (Pattison & Corser, 2022). As a result, foundational leadership theories continue to inform and guide nurses in healthcare settings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, modern nurse leaders perform many roles, advocating for patients’ interests and maintaining their health. Their activities are based on the achievements of their predecessors, who created care models and helped develop nursing as an influential profession. Leaders championed the need and significance of nurses in health care. Moreover, modern leaders also use various elements of fundamental theories of leadership, which have proven to be effective.

References

Azar K. M. J. (2021). The evolving role of nurse leadership in the fight for health equity. Nurse Leader, 19(6), 571–575. Web.

Broome, M. E., & Marshall, E. S. (2016). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert clinician to influential leader (2nd ed.). Springer Publishing Company.

Pattison, N., & Corser, R. (2022). Compassionate, collective or transformational nursing leadership to ensure fundamentals of care are achieved: A new challenge or non‐sequitur?. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 1-9. Web.

Reinking, C. (2020). Nurses transforming systems of care: The bicentennial of Florence Nightingale’s legacy. Nursing Management, 51(5), 32-37. Web.

What is the role of nurses in the community? (2022). Eastern Michigan University. Web.

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StudyCorgi. "Evolution of Nursing Leadership: Historical Foundations and Modern Roles." August 4, 2025. https://studycorgi.com/evolution-of-nursing-leadership-historical-foundations-and-modern-roles/.

References

StudyCorgi. 2025. "Evolution of Nursing Leadership: Historical Foundations and Modern Roles." August 4, 2025. https://studycorgi.com/evolution-of-nursing-leadership-historical-foundations-and-modern-roles/.

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