Effective Leadership Style, Nurses’ Satisfaction, and Intention to Stay toward Achieving Quality Improvement: Conceptual Framework

Effective leadership styles play a crucial role in enhancing nurses’ job satisfaction and retention within healthcare settings in Saudi Arabia, ultimately contributing to workforce sustainability and quality improvement. This study explores the impact of various nursing leadership styles—charismatic, transformational, autocratic, democratic, transactional, strategic, and authentic—on nurses’ satisfaction and their intention to stay within healthcare organizations. By examining how these leadership styles influence job satisfaction, work environment perception, professional development opportunities, and organizational recognition, this research provides a conceptual framework that connects leadership effectiveness with workforce sustainability. The study employs a literature review methodology, integrating a comprehensive analysis of leadership impact on nursing workforce stability. Findings from this research are expected to provide valuable insights for healthcare administrators and policymakers in Saudi Arabia in developing leadership training programs that foster a supportive and engaging work environment. By aligning leadership strategies with workforce sustainability goals, healthcare institutions can enhance job satisfaction, reduce turnover, and improve overall patient care quality. The proposed conceptual framework serves as a guide for future studies on leadership effectiveness in nursing, offering a strategic approach to strengthening the nursing workforce and promoting long-term organizational stability.