A Descriptive Phenomenological Inquiry of Nurse Educators' Leadership Practices and Styles During Pandemic Crisis in Saudi Arabia

AIM: This study examines the leadership strategies and styles adopted by nurse educators in Saudi Arabia in response to the global crisis instigated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A multitude of leadership theories and methodologies have emerged throughout history. Nevertheless, only certain approaches can guarantee the most effective strategy for addressing diverse conditions and scenarios, particularly in nursing education. The pandemic crisis prompted nursing experts to seek other leadership models more appropriate for comparable circumstances. METHODS: Descriptive phenomenology. Seventeen nurse educators from a government university in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, were recruited, utilising purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews took place between June 2021 and January 2022. Colaizzi procedures were used to analyse data, and a COREQ checklist was used to inform reporting. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged and included: (1) challenging the process, (2) motivating others to work toward a common goal, (3) allowing others to take action, and (4) strengthening the spirit. Different ways to maintain the quality of student education during the pandemic crisis emerged from the leadership practices and styles of nurse educators. Educators worldwide can learn from the participants' own experiences and be better prepared to face and overcome similar challenges in the future. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Nurse educators in a government university were involved as participants in the study.