The effect of transformational and transactional leadership styles training for head nurses on job satisfaction of staff nurses

Improving nurseschr('39') job satisfaction plays an important role in improving the quality of nursing care services. Nurseschr('39') leadership style is one of the most important factors affecting nurseschr('39') job satisfaction. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of transformational and transactional leadership training to head nurses on nurseschr('39') job satisfaction.

This quasi-experimental study of two training styles (transformational leadership and transactional leadership styles) was conducted with the participation of 11 head nurses and 216 staff nurses from Imam Reza (AS) and Ghaem (AS) hospitals in Mashhad. The transformational and transactional leadership styles were taught to two groups of head nurses within six two-hour training and practical sessions in one month. The job satisfaction questionnaire was completed by staff nurses before the intervention and one month later. The results of the questionnaires were compared between groups, before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.

Nurses’ Job satisfaction increased in the both transformational (p <0.001) and transactional (p = 0.033) groups after the intervention However, it was higher in the transformational management group compared to the transactional management group.

Full-range leadership styles training including transformational- transactional and Laissez-faire leads to a further increase in job satisfaction of staff nurses.