Authentic Leadership and Clinical Nurse Outcomes: A Secondary Analysis of A Statewide Study.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationships between authentic leadership (AL) and work environment, job enjoyment, and intent to leave (ITL) among hospital-based clinical nurses in New Jersey.

BACKGROUND

Nearly 40% of nurses in the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey reported ITL as the profession within 5 years, driven by stress, burnout, and workload. Although healthy work environments improve nurse retention and well-being, AL remains an underexplored influence on nurse outcomes.

METHODS

Secondary analysis of a descriptive, cross-sectional statewide study.

RESULTS

AL scores were significantly associated with healthier work environment subscales (communication, collaboration, decision-making, staffing, and recognition) (β=1.05 to 1.20, P<0.001), greater job enjoyment (β=2.89, P<0.001) and lower ITL (β=-1.64, P<0.001). Working in a facility with a union was not significant in the models.

CONCLUSION

Findings from this statewide study demonstrated that clinical nurses who perceive higher AL report healthier work environments, increased job enjoyment, and lower ITL.