Discussion
Findings indicated that nurse managers were rated more
positively than nursing directors; the perceived difference
may have come from a working relationship that
was closer to the staff. Buckingham and Coffman
(2001) suggested that the immediate boss or unit manager
defines and influences the work environment. The
expectation is that the nurse manager sets clear expectations,
understands staff, trusts them and invests in
them (Buckingham and Coffman 2001).
The present survey shows that professional development
was high, indicating that nurse managers leadership
style influenced nurses perceptions of continuous
development. In order to practice effectively, nurses
need to have an understanding of nursing theory and
practice knowledge. Hughes (2005) suggested that such
influencing factors included managers leadership styles
and their responsiveness to change (Hughes 2005).
Brady Germain and Cummings (2010) revealed that
Canadian nurses perceptions of factors that affect their
motivation and ability to perform includes autonomy,
nurse issues, and leadership practices. (Brady Germain
& Cummings 2010).
In contrast, nursing staff evaluated that feedback and
rewards were not given enough, although Atwater et al.
(2007) provided strong evidence of positive upward
feedback on leaders self-evaluations and followers
subsequent ratings. The study indicated that overall,
leaders behaviours, as rated by followers, improved
after feedback (Atwater et al. 2007).
Krairiksh and Anthony (2001) found that nurse
managers competence level improved with involvement
of nurses in decision-making processes (Krairiksh &
Anthony 2001). Effective feedback has to come from
nursing staff because leaderships perceptions may be
different from those of nursing staff. Sellgren (2006)
found that there are significant differences in opinions of
preferred leadership behaviour between managers and
subordinates. Subordinates prefer managers with more
clearly expressed leadership behaviour than managers
themselves prefer and demonstrate (Sellgren 2006).