Mr. Abdullah Mahdi Abuizran, Ms. Sarah Saad Alqahtani, Mr. Mohammad Alabd Besas Arip, Ms.Manar Yousef Alkhaibry, Mr. Naif Sultan AlOtaibi, Mr. Nerio Peralta Tuliao, Ms. Ohud Mohammed AlYousef, Ms. Shary Sharina Binti Matrail, Ms. Rasha Abdulkarim AlAnzi
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital; Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
Ms. Sarra Mahmaoud ElHmeyda, Ms. Zsuzsanna Mod, Ms. Jennifer Monje, Mr. An-Nur P. Jilhani
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital; Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
ABSTRACT
Background: Clinical leadership effectively influences the performance of nursing teams, improving patient outcomes. Clinical nurse leaders inspire nurses through their commitment to healthcare organizations. Objective: This study aimed to explore nurses' perceptions of clinical leadership and its impact on team performance at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, and to identify key leadership behaviors and demographic factors influencing these perceptions. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and September 2025 using a self-administered questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. The instrument consisted of 31 items divided into four domains: demographics, perceptions of clinical leadership, clinical leadership practices, and team performance. A convenience sample of 242 nurses was selected, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate linear regression. Results: Nurses reported significantly higher overall perceptions of clinical leadership (4.19 ± 1.05) and leadership practices (4.22 ± 0.94), as well as positive ratings of team performance (4.18 ± 1.05). The highest-rated behaviors included proactive problem-solving, providing constructive feedback, and fostering communication. Gender and educational qualification were significantly associated with leadership and performance scores (p < 0.05), with male nurses and those with Master degrees scoring higher. Perceptions of institutional support for nurse leaders were relatively low, indicating room for improvement. Conclusion: Clinical leadership is highly valued among nurses and is closely linked to behaviors that enhance team effectiveness. However, integrating evidence-based training, mentoring, and supportive policies can enhance clinical leadership capabilities, in line with the goals of Vision 2030, and achieve high-quality nursing care in complex healthcare settings.
Keywords: Clinical Leadership, Nursing, Team performance, Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030.
