Factors facilitating or inhibiting the capacity for effective leadership among front‐line nurse managers: A scoping review

The purpose of this scoping review is to map and synthesize research studies addressing the factors that impact leadership behaviours of front-line nurse managers.Leadership is a fundamental component of the role of front-line nurse managers. Ineffective leadership is associated with costly outcomes; thus, organizations seek effective strategies to facilitate consistent demonstration of leadership behaviours.Using a scoping review methodology, findings from 26 empirical studies were mapped to identify barriers and facilitators of leadership among front-line nurse managers. Major categories included personal and environmental factors with subthemes of personal characteristics, competencies and social support.Available evidence captures the influence of personal characteristics, education, competency and formal social support on leadership capacity. The role of informal social support was not captured.Multiple personal and environmental factors influence the capacity for leadership behaviours among front-line nurse managers. Strategies such as leadership development programmes, mentorship and peer support programmes, and work environments that support relational and structural support may increase leadership capacity for front-line nurse managers.Senior nurse leaders can use the results of this review to guide implementation of evidence-based strategies to recruit and retain front-line nurse managers.