Assessing Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes of Nursing Leaders in Government Hospitals of Kurdistan, Iraq

Background: In the dynamic field of healthcare, the quality of leadership among nursing professionals significantly impacts operational efficiency, patient care, and organizational outcomes. Government hospitals in the Kurdistan region of Iraq face unique challenges that require nursing leaders to be highly competent in multiple domains.Objective: To evaluate the proficiency of nursing leaders within governmental hospitals in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, focusing on three primary competencies: knowledge, skills, and attitudes.Methods: This quantitative study utilized purposive sampling to collect data from 55 nursing leaders who provided informed consent. A multi-modal data collection strategy was implemented, encompassing interviews, email communications, self-reports, and telephone inquiries, to ensure thorough and varied input from the participants.Results: Preliminary findings reveal significant correlations among the competencies, particularly between knowledge and other leadership skills and attitudes. These correlations underscore the interconnected nature of these competencies and their collective impact on leadership effectiveness.Conclusions: The results highlight the necessity for comprehensive, integrated training programs aimed at enhancing the overall capabilities of nursing leaders. Such initiatives are crucial for improving leadership effectiveness and healthcare outcomes in the region.