Nurse Leaders' Perceptions of Development of Their Own Interpersonal Communication Competence: A Qualitative Descriptive Study in Social and Healthcare Organisations

Abstract

Aim(s): To describe nurse leaders' perceptions of factors related to the development of their own interpersonal communication competence. Design: Qualitative descriptive study. Methods: Individual semi–structured interviews were conducted with 21 nurse leaders in three wellbeing service counties in Finland. Data were collected between February and April 2024 and analysed using an inductive content analysis. Results: The analysis identified two main categories, each comprising several subcategories: (1) individual factors related to development, which encompassed participants' perceptions on how inherent qualities, personal experiences, reflexivity, motivation and communication training were related to the development of interpersonal communication competence, and (2) interpersonal factors related to development, which demonstrated the role of situational contexts, feedback and social support in competence development. Conclusion: This study frames the development of nurse leaders' interpersonal communication competence as a lifelong and continuous process. The findings emphasise the interplay of individual and interpersonal factors, encompassing various competence categories and dimensions. This dynamic underscores the importance of developing interpersonal communication competence in workplaces through various practices, in addition to formal communication training. Implication for the Profession: The findings enhance our understanding of nurse leaders' interpersonal communication competence and the factors related to it. The study also identifies various practices for fostering nurse leaders' communication competence. Impact: The study provides valuable insights for healthcare organisations and educational institutions by highlighting the importance of providing nurse leaders with opportunities to promote their interpersonal communication competence through both formal communication training and their daily work activities. Reporting Method: Reporting adhered to the SRQR checklist. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public Involvement.