Predictors of Leadership Competencies Among Nurse Executives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: Awareness and development of nurse executives' leadership competencies has been considered a key strategy for the success of healthcare organizations. However, only a few studies about nurse executives' leadership competencies are available in the literature, and no study has been conducted about the topic within Saudi Arabian context. The aim of this study was to assess the leadership competencies of nurse executives and the predictors of these competencies. Methods: This quantitative study used a descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational design. The study recruited a total convenience sample of 136 nurse executives who voluntarily consented to participate. The respondents self-rated the online survey, "Leadership Competency Assessment Tool: Self-Assessment." Data collection was conducted between September 2022 and November 2022. Test of correlation and multiple regression analyses were conducted. Results: The overall mean score of nurse executives' leadership competencies was 3.38 out of 5.0, which was below the level of having excellent leadership competencies. Four dimensions had mean scores below the level of having excellent leadership competencies, namely, communication and relationship building (3.48), knowledge of the healthcare environment (3.29), leadership (3.45), and business skills (3.15), while nurse executives had excellent leadership competencies only in the professionalism dimension (3.51). Age (p=0.04), highest educational attainment (p=0.01), current role (p<0.01) and length of experience (p=0.02) as nurse executive, monthly salary (p=0.03), nationality (p=0.04), and having seminars/trainings in leadership and management (p=0.01) were considered predictors of the leadership competencies of nurse executives. Conclusion: Nurse executives reported a low level of leadership competencies, thus implying necessary actions for improvement. There were personal factors that influenced the level of nurse executives' leadership competencies. To achieve quality outcomes and maintain a high level of nursing care in hospital organizations, these findings must be considered in planning strategies related to the improvement of the leadership competencies of nurse executives.