In summary, there is a great deal of organizational interest in the concept of
leadership at the clinical level of care delivery. This study provides an opportunity to
obtain empirical evidence to support the new concept of clinical leadership at the bedside
and the use of leader behaviours by staff nurses in the clinical setting. There is a
heightened awareness among healthcare organizations of the need to examine the
delivery of care in the clinical setting and to identify strategies which support quality care
and improve patient safety. This study will contribute to these initiatives by providing
important knowledge of staff nurse perceptions of the influence of two critical factors
(manager leadership practices and empowering work environments) on their ability to use
clinical leadership behaviours in their practice. This is the first known study to examine
an explanatory model of clinical leadership behaviours of staff nurses providing direct
care at the clinical level.