Creating Nurse Executive Strategies to Strengthen Nurse Leader Well‑being, Growth, and Retention: An Appreciative Inquiry Study.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this qualitative study using an appreciative inquiry (API) methodology was to evaluate how human-centered leadership in health care (HCL-HC) is integrated into the experiences of nurse leaders regarding well-being, professional growth, and retention.

BACKGROUND

Health care organizations face increasing turnover, workforce shortages, and rising patient complexity. Contemporary leadership models such as HCL‑HC may offer strategies to strengthen leader well-being, retention, and organizational outcomes.

METHODS

A mixed‑methods study was conducted at a large academic medical center. The qualitative component being reported on in the article involved a four‑hour API learning lab in which nurse leaders engaged in the Discover, Dream, Design, and Deliver phases of API. De‑identified narrative polling data were analyzed using constant comparative methods and HCL‑HC theoretical coding.

RESULTS

Leaders demonstrated a shift from self‑focused well-being concepts toward system‑level advocacy, resource allocation, and meaningful recognition, particularly within the Dream phase across all domains.

CONCLUSION

Findings highlight the need for balanced, HCL-HC approaches that integrate self‑focused strategies with systemic, structural, and executive nurse leader support to strengthen well-being, growth, and retention.