Transformational Leadership Theory and the Christian Nurse
Abstract
This paper investigates the correlation between Transformational Leadership (TL) theory and the professional practice of Christian nursing. Based on several years of research, transformational leadership, initially proposed by James MacGregor Burns and expounded later by Bernard M. Bass with his “Four I’s”: Idealized Influence, Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation, and Individualized Consideration, has emerged as a practical framework for improving workplace performance. From a Christian perspective, especially in healthcare, the foundational principles of TL match perfectly with biblical principles of service, compassion, and ethical conduct, reflecting the ideal leadership style of Jesus Christ. Regardless of such a solid theoretical and spiritual connection, a problem exists when applying deep biblical teachings into a challenging nursing environment. This study suggests that when Christian nurses deliberately integrate the four primary components of TL, they can successfully bridge this integration gap.
In this paper, the key TL principles of Time, Character, Motivation, Faith and Prayer, Tests, Training, and Rejection are emphasized as essential tools in helping Christian nurses address challenges that require the TL approach. Each principle is rooted in biblical concepts and exemplify Christ-like leadership. By integrating these principles into their practice, Christian nurse leaders inspire and empower teams and foster a supportive, resilient, and ethically sound nursing environment. This paper provides practical examples specific to nursing to illustrate how these principles can be implemented in daily practice, which demonstrates their impact on team cohesion, patient satisfaction, and overall organizational effectiveness.
Christian nurses understand that virtues and vices are rooted in the health system; thus, they are committed to upholding professional virtues relating less to their science of practice and more to the uniqueness of the people they serve. Lastly, this article highlights the role of spiritual and moral dimensions in nursing leadership, advocating for a holistic approach that addresses the professional and personal growth of nurses.
Keywords: Christian Nursing, Communication, Ethical Behavior, Nurse Leadership, Time, Transformational, Virtues.
Introduction
The last decade witnessed an extensive exploration of leadership theories, with researchers striving to identify how effective managers strive to behave in a professional setting. Considerable research points to transformational leadership theory as a practical approach in contemporary organizational contexts, even linking it with daily practices and ethical commitments of Christian professionals. Transformational Leadership (TL) theory, developed by James MacGregor Burns (1978) and expanded by Bernard Bass (1985), describes a management style where leaders inspire, motivate, and intellectually stimulate followers to exceed their self-interest for the common good (Ausat et al., 2024). When applied to healthcare settings, this model is crucial for balancing the demanding requirements of patients, practitioners, and hospitals. The theory becomes more relevant in such settings when blended with Christian virtues, as these contexts often require holistic healing—particularly in nursing, where professionals must balance personal goals and professional expectations. According to Paul (2020), transformational leadership gives a framework for Christians to accomplish professional and personal goals while upholding Godly virtues (Paul, 2020). Chaisson (2021) echoes these points, indicating that TL is not only compatible with Christian nursing practice but also crucial for spiritual and professional growth (Chaisson, 2021). However, while many pursue this type of leadership, the challenge for Christians is to continually integrate high-stakes biblical teachings into day-to-day living and professional nursing environments. By intentionally grounding their professional practice in the four primary components of transformational leadership (idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration), Christian nurses can bridge this integration gap and considerably improve patient outcomes, achieve ethical advocacy, and healthcare resilience.
Understanding Transformational Leadership
TL theory emerged from the work of James MacGregor Burns (1978), who originally distinguished it from transactional leadership by focusing on leaders and followers lifting each other to higher dimensions of motivation and morality in the political environment. Later, Bernard M. Bass (1985) broadened the application context of the theory to include organizational settings. Primarily, transformational leadership constitutes four interconnected components, commonly called the “Four I’s,” which collectively explain leaders’ approaches to inspiring and empowering subordinates to rise above their self-interest for the common good (Eaton, 2022). These components, as shall be described in the later part of this paper, include idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration.
Transformational Leadership in Nursing
While transformational leaders are crucial in every society, their role stands out clearly in the health and nursing profession. TL has been examined widely in nursing, with research demonstrating its impact on job satisfaction, patient outcomes, and organizational performance (Othman & Khrais, 2022). When integrated with Christian values, TL becomes a solid foundation for nurse professionals seeking to blend evidence-based practice with faith-driven care. Regardless of the workplace, nurses always work as part of a team to provide the best quality of care (Barnett et al., 2022). Arguably, nursing is more of a calling than a profession because their job demands that they go the extra mile in every activity, despite working in the same environment as doctors and pharmacists (Kallio et al., 2022). In addition to helping patients and managing their sicknesses, nurse leaders remain exemplary coaches for personal health. Almutari and Almutari (2023) revealed that nurses serve as strategists, decision-makers, team players, influencers, and visionary people who strive to achieve the highest healthcare outcomes for their patients (Almutari & Almutari, 2023). A nurse leader’s daily interactions with other nurses demands straightforward communication to avoid all misunderstandings.
Transformational leaders in the nursing setting recognize the need to foster collaboration because they can collectively work towards better service delivery through collaboration. In the healthcare sector, nurses serve not only as leadership consultants but also as promoters of virtues and vices and vital global leaders, where they provide emotional support, compassion, and empathy (Wei & Horton-Deutsch, 2022). From such a setting, nurses support ethical practices and advocate for patients’ rights, educate individuals and communities about health prevention and management, influence policies through the global leadership position they hold, encourage innovation by developing new protocols, and play crucial roles in disaster response. Nurses are recognized globally for their dedicated service delivery. Across hospital settings, nurses commit to caring for sick patients’ needs tirelessly. As Stilwell (2024) reveals, these professionals also book doctors’ appointments on patients’ behalf, monitor their health conditions, and work progressively to ensure that patients’ needs, including food and clothing, are available (Stilwell, 2024). Nurses commit to serving others in a harsh and mentally challenging environment. Nurses work in teams headed by a transformational leader whose goal is to reinforce self-confidence continually, recognize every individual activity, drive out fear, foster responsibility, promote persistence, and advocate for shared leadership (Covington, 2023). Nurse leaders build awareness through their skills of leadership, professional ability, self-awareness, and confidence (Orukwowu, 2022). When nurse leaders empower teams to take charge of decisions, they motivate their followers by creating a sense of trust. Nurse leaders promote responsibility, and it is a general duty for every team player to care for their patients while adhering to ideal virtues and standards. Ideally, transformational leaders’ day-to-day activities revolve around maintaining a rigorous standard of care that the patients and their loved ones expect.
Nurse executives improve department credibility and patient care quality. Nursing leadership, especially those occupying consultant positions, supports the sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and productivity of any facility (Okuonzi et al., 2023). Nurse consultants build awareness of professional abilities, leadership, self-awareness, and confidence. Leadership consultants collaborate to bridge the gap between policy and practice by ensuring that team players follow all safety protocols. Moreover, nurse leaders value intellectual stimulation because it is through it that they get creative and innovative in all day-to-day problems (Ogenyi, 2023). Effective nursing leaders value differences of opinion and strive to attain a collectively held vision. While serving patients, transformational leaders realize the value of individualized consideration and idealized influence. Each nurse has unique needs, and they are expected to respond to individual needs and differences without judgment. Transformational leaders’ daily mandate is to demonstrate knowledge of their followers and raise functionality and self-efficacy. Leaders influence and arouse their follower’s emotions. Haight (2022) reports that healthcare is a challenging working environment due to encountering daily problems; thus, nurse leaders help patients navigate negative emotions and cultivate a positive mindset. The nurse leader’s extraordinary capabilities allow them to motivate followers and serve them tirelessly.
Application of Transformational Leadership in Christian Nursing
Transformational leadership holds a profound resonance for Christian organizations and individuals, perhaps more than it applies to other secular contexts. From a Christian perspective, this theory emphasizes integrity, service, compassion, and empowering others, which align with biblical foundations and the leadership principles of Jesus Christ (de Souza Sant’Anna, 2023). Jesus pioneered a transformational leadership model throughout His life on earth, as exemplified in Matthew 20:23 which states “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Transformational leaders serve and inspire others in their daily experiences. Like Jesus, transformational leaders stand out because their philosophy supersedes selfishness, and transformational leadership is founded on motivation, encouraging human relationships, and continuous creativity between leaders and followers. Brazill & Ruff, 2022 found out that transformational leadership grows and transforms not only leaders but everyone else within that cycle, simultaneously bringing out the best in an individual as they cultivate a personal relationship. Below is the description of what Christian transformational leaders would look like in nursing, considering the four primary components of TL.
Idealized Influence
In Christian nursing, Idealized Influence manifests through leaders who embody Christ-like values such as humility, integrity, sacrifice, and a strong moral conviction. In other words, this concept comes out clearly from leaders exhibiting high moral authority or modeling Christ-like integrity in the workplace (Deemie Sr, 2024). Expectations of Christian nurse leaders are to serve with strong moral and ethical conduct and embody Christ-like virtues such as integrity, compassion, and self-sacrifice (Paye, 2024). The actions of such leaders earn the respect and trust of colleagues and patients because they reflect the stated values. A meta-analysis by Häggman-Laitila and Officer (2022) established that nurse leaders who model integrity and selflessness significantly increase staff trust and reduce burnout. Studies in faith-based hospitals such as one by Westbrook et al. (2022) show that when leaders demonstrate servant leadership, nurses report higher job satisfaction rates.
Based on Mwema’s (2022) research, transformational leaders in faith-based health settings serve not just as managers but as moral exemplars, which is a benchmark that instills trust and ethical courage. Berkovich and Eyal (2022) prove that this TL component relies on modeling behaviors that align with moral values; whereas in Christian hospitals, TL traits are mirrored among leaders who pray with staff, lead devotions, and act with fairness and compassion even in high-pressure times.
Actualizing Idealized Influence in Christian Nursing Perspective
Ethical Dilemma Resolution. TL standards require Christian nurses to navigate complex ethical dilemmas with high moral conviction, particularly in situations like end-of-life care, where transparency is needed – such as cases involving conflicts between a patient’s wishes and those of their family members (Willie, 2025). Such nurses involve all relevant parties in open, prayerful discussion and advocate for the patient’s dignity and autonomy while respecting diverse perspectives instead of following established policy. Practitioners regularly consult biblical principles like “loving your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31) when addressing conflicts to achieve fairness and respect, which eventually facilitates trust and integrity.
Leading by Example in Adversity and Community. During a critical staffing shortage or a mass casualty event, a Christian nurse leader is the first to step forward, take on challenging assignments, work extra shifts without complaining, and maintain a calm, prayerful demeanor amidst the chaos. Importantly, nursing leadership extends far beyond the clinical setting. Nurses cultivate a positive ideology among followers since their obligation to justice goes beyond the healthcare setting’s walls. Nurses also reiterate their unending responsibility to address critical issues that affect the entire community (Mack & Camosy, 2022).
Upholding Professional Virtues. Beyond simply adhering to hospital policy, the Christian nurse leader actively promotes virtues like humility, patience, and non-judgment, which are typical values of TL as explained by Knight (2022). Such leaders avoid negativity and instead choose words of encouragement and affirmation. Christian nurses understand that virtues and vices are rooted in the health system, and thus, they commit to upholding professional virtues that relate less to their science of practice and that emphasize the uniqueness of the people they serve. Sessanna et al. (2021) report that for Christian nurses, respect, hope, continuity of care, and availability are vital practices. Transformational leadership is ethical as it stretches beyond basic responsibilities to make a meaningful impact on others (Demirtaş et al., 2020). Christian nurses seek to bring the best from their teams by making respect and hope part of daily conversations and by modeling respective behavior like active listening and compassion, offering spiritual support through words of encouragement, creating an inclusive environment by recognizing the intrinsic worth of every individual, and resolving conflicts through constructive feedback (Rachel et al., 2019). Guided by ethics and virtues, nurse leaders know that it takes honesty, compassion, fairness, respect, self-respect, courage, and professional competence to address patients’ daily needs. As such, leaders create a team equipped with all key virtues. Nurses have different personalities and behaviors, and it is the role of the leader to model each individual so that he or she suits the diverse clinical environment.
Christian nurses leave a significant impact through their daily actions and interactions that cut across the board. The dedication of such nurses to service and ethical behavior profoundly influences organizational outcomes and the behavior of their colleagues. The impact can range from mentorship roles, offering patient-centered rounds, participating in daily morning huddles that set a positive tone for the day, and organizing community health outreach programs (Khan & Siddiqui, 2020). Transformational leaders realize their profession’s critical nature and, therefore, seek to promote the greatest moral goodness and character. More so, there is an overall realization that guiding and leading others through example is much more critical. Good leaders seek to have everyone on board and, after that, promote virtues that promote patients’ best interests. There are several instances when nurses position themselves as patients’ advocates, promoting the best virtues. Virtues are instilled in them through transformational instincts, leading them to act with courage in difficult situations and to do what is right for the patient. Transformational leaders realize that integrity is preserved only if a nurse’s actions are consistent with their values and ethics. Transformational leadership ensures that nurses uphold honesty without losing their self-respect. Leaders create or lobby for an environment that enables each nurse to fulfill their ethical obligations.
Inspirational Motivation
Inspirational motivation from a Christian nurse’s perspective implies casting a vision from a kingdom purpose. In his book, Sipos (2022) considers an inspirational Christian nurse leader as one who communicates a compelling vision for patient care and the nursing practice; he or she is grounded in spirituality and blends service and faith Sipos, 2022. Such leaders inspire subordinates to consider nursing work not just as a job, but as a calling to serve God through the healing of others Willie, 2025. Such leaders inspire colleagues by connecting daily tasks to eternal impact and using scripture, testimonies, and mission-driven language to raise their morale and increase dedication. Consequently, subordinates obtain motivation to strive for excellence and find meaning in daily service, even amidst challenges.
Evidence suggests tangible outcomes with inspirational motivation. Faith-driven teams led by transformational leaders exhibit 30% higher retention and mission resilience, especially in international or underserved contexts. Organizations such as Samaritan’s Purse report that inspirational nurse leadership correlates with increased staff engagement and improved patient satisfaction scores, particularly in spiritually sensitive care scenarios like end-of-life or palliative settings Hashlan et al., 2024. Several approaches can be taken by Christian nurses who want to adopt inspirational motivation as outlined below.
Actualizing Idealized Influence in Christian Nursing Perspective
Framing “Calling” in Daily Practice. Rather than focusing on quality metrics, effective Christian nurse managers embody the aspect of respect for God in executing daily duties. For instance, such leaders emphasize honoring God through excellence and compassion, reflecting His healing touch in every interaction – often beginning with short devotional thoughts or scriptures to inspire the team to perform with greater diligence and empathy and view their work as an act of worship.
Empowering Through Affirmation. According to Broome, 2024, an effective Christian nurse leader stresses the successes of members and teams and connects their successes to their shared purpose instead of focusing on their weaknesses. Such leaders do not give generic praise; they point out specific acts of kindness, exceptional clinical judgment, or patient advocacy. Such specific, values-driven affirmation improves their calling and motivates continued high performance.
Creating Hope in Burnout. Hamzaa et al., 2025 lists examples where leaders in professions prone to burnout, like nursing, provide spiritual encouragement to remind subordinates about their intrinsic worth and the eternal impact of work. For instance, arranging for informal prayer circles, sharing uplifting messages, and conducting debriefing sessions where staff air out challenges and find spiritual solace enhance their commitment to work, shifting the attention from mere task completion to the spiritual relevance of their labor.
Intellectual Stimulation
According to Spiridigliozzi, 2023, Intellectual Stimulation in Christian nursing leadership implies encouraging colleagues to think critically, biblically, and creatively instead of complying with set routines . In this context, the Christian nurse leader encourages creativity, critical thinking, and a spirit of inquiry, challenging assumptions while seeking solutions that align with both evidence-based practice and Christian values. Such a leader creates an environment where questioning, learning, and innovation are welcomed. Reinhardt et al., 2022 study established that transformational nurse leaders inspire subordinates to examine new evidence-based practices while remaining anchored in Christian ethics. Consequently, these leaders create a dynamic culture where learning is not divorced from faith but where spiritual discernment and scientific inquiry go hand in hand.
Individualized Consideration
Arguably, the most aligned with Christian values is Individualized Consideration, which focuses on shepherding the whole person to demonstrate Christ’s care for the individual. Pratt (2024) demonstrates that an effective Christian nurse leader genuinely cares for the individual needs, aspirations, and spiritual well-being of each team member and serves as a mentor, coach, and spiritual guide Pratt, 2024. These practices create personalized support, feedback, and growth opportunities and acknowledge the uniqueness of every person in the sight of God. Transformational Christian nurse leaders practice personalized mentorship and view each team member not just as a worker but as a soul with unique needs and talents. Research by Connors et al. (2024) confirms that when leaders attend to the holistic needs of nurses, such as spiritual well-being, nurses report lower burnout, higher resilience, and stronger team cohesion Connors et al., 2024.
Christian Nurses Aspiring to cultivate Transformational Leadership Styles Characterized by Individualized Consideration can take Various Steps as Identified Below
Personalized Mentorship and Spiritual Support. Beyond clinical mentorship, a Christian nurse leader takes time to understand the personal and spiritual challenges their team members face and sometimes acts as a pastor for their members. Such leadership transforms the workplace into a Christ-centered community of care that echoes the early Church model of fellowship and mutual care (Acts 2:42-47).
Tailored Development Plans. According to Campagna, 2022, transformational Christian leaders are encouraged to recognize unique gifts and areas for growth in each nurse and design personalized development plans that consider both professional aspirations and spiritual giftedness.
Active Listening with Empathy. Christian leaders embodying individualized consideration do not offer quick solutions but listen actively with empathy, create a safe space for vulnerability and then offer support that addresses the whole person physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Barr & Nathenson, 2022). Such a listening skill entails recommending spiritual retreats, connecting nurses with counseling services, and praying with them to develop a sense of being truly seen and valued, not just as a worker, but as a beloved child of God.
Embracing Diversity. Christian nursing roles extend beyond their perspectives and geographical limitations. Christian nurses increasingly face the challenges of leading employees from different cultural backgrounds with divergent expectations about hierarchy, power, and interpersonal relations (Asenso-Okyere, 2023). Thus, these nurse practitioners understand how cultural dynamics influence effective leadership (Aspinall, 2022) . Transformational leaders identify cultural differences as a key issue in the first changing environment, which affects nursing practices. Diversity is a contemporary critical issue in healthcare, with many nurses reportedly encountering cultural misunderstandings (Albougami & Alotaibi, 2020). Nursing leadership processes can vary significantly across geographic regions; however, transformational leaders take a global mindset and adapt their styles to reflect multiple cultural contexts, considering that different cultures require unique responses.
Effective leadership responds to time and cultural variations, which reflects what transformational leaders accomplish. Such traits characterize positive Christian virtues such as integrity, which is present in follower-oriented exchange processes such as collective motivation and encouragement (Freyre, 2023). Christian nurses with transformative traits develop global mindsets to thrive in the contemporary and future world. Transformational nurses realize that differences exist between all people in the clinical setting and that the best way to live and serve diverse people is to understand them (Flores, et al., 2023). Understanding the patient’s culture, sexual orientation, socioeconomic realities, and religious beliefs promotes a solid working relationship. A nurse’s moral obligation is to prevent social ills in a world characterized by discrimination and biases. Patients from different backgrounds visit health centers daily, and regardless of their situations, culture, language, and other differences, they have a right to obtain services free from bias. Thus, transformational leaders respond to a diverse community’s needs without discriminating on age, color, ethnicity, or language.
Effective Communication as a Catalyst for Transformational Leadership
As already indicated, individualized consideration calls for nursing leaders to understand the respective needs of subordinates. Effective transformational leaders create a structure that supports two-way communication for a healthy workplace. Many nurses report poor listening experiences with their employers; this leads to miscommunication, missed insights, and disengagement (Neill & Bowen, 2021). While poor workplace communication could imply relying on entirely broken communication lines, the frequent issue associated with poor communication is when there is an incongruity between what is spoken and what is heard, which causes misunderstandings (Khan, 2023). Many factors cause this problem, including demotivated employees, poor leadership, cultural diversity, limited feedback, and unclear objectives. Transformational leaders can address these issues by ensuring clarity in communication and fostering an inclusive environment. For example, at Boston Children’s Hospital, a communication audit revealed that cultural diversity among the nursing staff led to frequent misunderstandings. To address this, the hospital introduced cultural competency training, which significantly improved communication and reduced conflicts. James 1:19 advises, “Everyone quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry,” underscoring the importance of understanding and patience in communication.
Addressing the communication bottleneck involves more than conveying key communication skills. The organization has a responsibility to build more effective teams, break down communication barriers, and consistently align and communicate goals and policies across all channels (Khan, 2023). Besides, managers identify opportunities for daily interaction with staff by deliberately setting time apart daily and encouraging them to share ideas and challenges faced. Frequent interactions with subordinates, supervisors, and other leaders create shared experiences that improve future communication and establish a camaraderie that is foundational for effective working relationships. For instance, at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, nurse managers spend 15 minutes every morning with their teams discussing any immediate concerns and successes from the previous day. This practice has been credited with improving team dynamics and patient care quality. In the same way, Jesus invested time with His disciples and created a strong, unified team that could carry on His mission (Mark 3:14).
Lastly, creating time with subordinates allows managers to collect feedback, confirm their understanding of critical issues, and recognize discrepancies in understanding (Grossman, 2024). In such a supportive working environment, employees can act as the organization’s ambassadors when they feel respected, engaged, and appreciated by the management. Addressing communication issues by creating an open dialogue solves organizational problems efficiently and encourages a healthy, collaborative work atmosphere. For example, at Johns Hopkins Hospital, the implementation of a nurse advisory council where nurses could voice their opinions directly to hospital administration led to several key policy changes that improved working conditions and patient care. This reflects the principle found in Matthew 18:20, where Jesus says, “For where two or three gathered in my name, there am I with them,” highlighting the importance of collective input and unity in achieving goals.
Key Transformational Leadership Principles to Cultivate in Christian Nursing
Time
Effective Christian nurses with TL traits prioritize time to balance patient care, personal well-being, and spiritual growth. Appropriate time management allows them to honor God by serving others efficiently. Setting aside time for prayer, reflection, and continued education ensures they remain grounded and focused. Colossians 4:5 (NIV) reminds us to “Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time.” Also, Christian nurses prioritize time management and make time for patients, colleagues, and personal spiritual growth. Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” By establishing daily schedules and using checklists, Christian nurses can ensure they fulfill their responsibilities while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Transformational nurse leaders allocate time for team building, patient care, and self-care. For example, a nurse leader might schedule regular one-on-one meetings with team members to discuss their professional development and personal concerns, which fosters a supportive and engaged team.
Character
Personal traits in Christian leadership are essential. A successful leader’s primary qualification is integrity, as Christian leaders reach the highest ladder of success (Engstrom, 1979). Nurses exemplify Christ-like character and demonstrate integrity, honesty, and ethical behavior. Proverbs 10:9 states, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Christian leaders gain personal traits and skills to successfully mentor others. Hemberg and Salmela (2021) report that transformational nurse leaders model ethical behavior and integrity and set a standard for their team (Hemberg & Salmela, 2021). As such, nurse leaders are called to consistently uphold high ethical standards in patient care and administrative duties to inspire members to follow suit and promote a culture of trust and accountability. Roberts (2015) says Christian servant leadership requires passionate and authentic demonstration of biblical principles in daily experiences (Roberts, 2015).
Motivation
Followership and servant leadership are among the significant leadership types that inspire others (Reed, 2016). Servant leadership entails demonstrating passion for guiding, and this passion starts with the natural feeling of willingness to lead and give back to people (Davis, 2017). The servant-leader is a servant at first, and their conscious choice gives them the desire to lead and motivate others with intended behaviors (Davis, 2017). Transformational leaders motivate others through their vision and passion. Christian nurses motivate their colleagues and patients by demonstrating servant leadership, humility, and selflessness (Pearson, 2020). Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) encourages, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.” By fostering an environment of support and encouragement, they help others reach their full potential.
Faith and Prayer
Christian leaders spend time with God to provide a clear direction. Some leaders could indicate that they have faith but not in practice. Leaders are encouraged to draw on faith and prayer for guidance, strength, and resilience. For instance, during worship, their mind could clear for God to direct their steps and to tap wisdom for critical decisions. Bible leaders spent time praying and seeking guidance, for this was the reason Paul (Ephesians 6:18, NIV) was successful. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Flores et al., 2023 justify the above information, indicating that transformational nurse leaders integrate faith and prayer into their leadership practices. For instance, a nurse leader could initiate meetings with a prayer or offer to pray with a team member going through a difficult time and create a spiritually supportive work environment.
Training
On-going Christian training of others is necessary to plan for upcoming positions, and practice throughout creates cohesiveness in the organization (Engstrom, 1979). Christian leader’s training program includes an ongoing search for talent for the organization. When an analysis of the functions of the organization ensures that the mission is creating momentum, training programs will also bring about innovation (Engstrom, 1979). All Christian leaders need effective training programs on the leadership plan.
Rejection
Successful transformational leaders anticipate rejection. Transformational leaders demonstrate rejection and criticism with grace and perseverance, learning from setbacks (Avolio et al., 2022). Matthew 5:10-12 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Transformational nurse leaders demonstrate resilience in the face of rejection and criticism, using it as an opportunity for growth.
Summary and Conclusion
The nursing profession is more of a calling than a profession and offers nurses an opportunity to honor God and serve people. Nurses, much like Abraham, embody transformational leadership qualities characterized by courage, vision, care for people, and a strong sense of justice (Brooks, 2020). On the other hand, nurses continually progress Jesus’s transformational leadership by actively advancing God’s kingdom in both theories’ personal and professional lives while still inspiring others to keep hope and faith amidst adversities (Statum, 2021). Like Jesus, nurses bring their faith into their work and use it as a basis for their practices by exemplifying Christian values such as love, kindness, and patience, maintaining a positive attitude, and demonstrating resilience.
Living as a transformational leader sets the basis for positive living, not just for nurses but everyone within their cycle. Nurses’ character is linked with virtue because good character is built through the practice and habituation of virtues. Given their importance, nurses’ character and the related virtues play significant roles in various leadership styles, such as ethical leadership, servant leadership, and transformational leadership.
Leaders promote self-fulfilling virtues and find ways to offer the greatest value to the people they serve. The Bible promotes good morals as quoted in Exodus, “select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain— and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, the fifties and tens.” Transformational leaders’ role, particularly in nursing, is to create an enabling environment for all people. Nursing commitment is more than a paycheck since it captures the hearts and minds of those committing and those influenced. Nurses embody transformational leadership where service to others exceeds monetary gain. Like Jesus, nurses are models of fairness, integrity, and commitment, and their comprehension of problems and people allows them to tailor decisions that promote the patient’s interests. Transforming others is a skill mastered and deeply rooted in nurse leaders and through which they consistently solve daily problems affecting society.
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