The quality of care provided to nursing home residents has been the subject of broad criticism for years. Mounting evidence suggests that the quality of nursing home care can be improved by strengthening the roles of nurses in these facilities. This article reviews the literature on programs designed to enhance nursing leadership in long-term care, examines outcomes associated with leadership in long-term care, and outlines recommendations for programs to enhance nursing leadership in nursing home settings. The findings suggest that nursing leadership training programs for nurses working in nursing homes are urgently needed to improve quality in the nation's nursing homes and stabilize the workforce. To maximize their effectiveness, these leadership training programs should be part of a continuum of leadership development that begins in nursing education programs and persists throughout a nurse's career trajectory.
Copyright 2009, SLACK Incorporated.