Comparing nurse managers and nurses' perceptions of nurses' self‐leadership during capacity building

Aims This paper compares the perceptions of nurse managers and nurses about self‐leadership of professional nurses while taking ownership of capacity building during unit management. Background The N ursing S trategy for S outh A frica states that the competency of nurses is dependent upon factors that lead to capacity building. Method A quantitative design was followed by conducting a survey. The target population included nurse managers and professional nurses working at an academic public hospital in the G auteng P rovince of S outh A frica. Results The findings indicate shortcomings in relation to advising professional nurses about self‐direction while taking ownership of their daily pressures and stresses associated with unit management. Conclusion Professional nurses should develop their confidence by focusing on their self‐leadership strengths when managing a unit. Implications for nurse managers Recommendations are made to promote self‐leadership while taking ownership of nurses during capacity building of unit management.