THE ROLE OF TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN NURSING

Abstract

Introduction: Leadership skills are essential for nurses in an increasingly competitive job market, as they directly influence the creation of a positive work environment and team motivation. Health institutions are shifting from hierarchical structures to more dynamic and collaborative models, demanding interpersonal skills and an entrepreneurial spirit to enhance the quality of care. Transformational leadership, which has stood out since the 1980s, focuses on inspiring and motivating the team, promoting innovation and a shared purpose. This text highlights the importance of this leadership style in nursing, addressing its impact on management practices as well as the challenges and opportunities it brings to organizational innovation. Methodology: This applied, exploratory, and descriptive study consisted of an integrative literature review aimed at investigating the role of transformational leadership in nursing. The methodology followed the six steps proposed by Gonçalves (2019), from defining the topic to presenting the results. Sources used included BVS, LILACS, and SciELO, with descriptors verified in DeCS. Included studies were full-text articles published in the last five years, in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, that addressed the proposed theme. The analysis of the selected studies enabled the construction of a descriptive synthesis, contributing to a critical understanding of the impact of transformational leadership on nursing practice.Results and Discussion: The study discusses the challenges and potential of transformational leadership in nursing. It emphasizes that the lack of institutional support and the perception of leadership as an innate skill compromise care quality and professional satisfaction. Transformational leadership, on the other hand, promotes motivation, team cohesion, and a more collaborative work environment grounded in ethics, empathy, and dialogue. Despite obstacles such as inexperience, internal resistance, and criticism regarding emotional influence strategies, this model proves effective in care management by fostering healthy interpersonal relationships and participatory practices. Thus, transformational nurse leaders value individual competencies, leading to more efficient and humanized care. Conclusion: Transformational leadership in nursing is essential for improving care quality, strengthening the team, and promoting a collaborative environment. Its development requires institutional support and the appreciation of nurses' interpersonal and ethical skills, contributing to a more humanized and effective practice.