Journal article
Exploring first nations nursing and midwifery leadership development: an international scoping review
Contemporary Nurse, Vol.61(4), pp.332-351
2025
PMID: 39918046
Abstract
Background
The development of First Nations nurses and midwives is crucial to addressing health inequities stemming from systemic injustices. However, this workforce is significantly underrepresented globally. Understanding the reasons for this underrepresentation and identifying key challenges and opportunities for leadership is necessary.
Aim
This scoping review aimed to explore the challenges and opportunities in leadership development of First Nations nursing and midwifery professionals internationally.
Design
A scoping review was conducted following the framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley (Citation2005).
Data sources
Six databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsychInfo, Proquest and Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet were searched.
Methods
The search was performed on 30 January 2024. Items were included if the research focus was on First Nations nursing and midwifery leadership. Full texts were then thematically analysed for overarching themes, and extracted data was charted. After charting, key findings were reviewed, and emerging themes were grouped into common categories.
Results
The scoping review identified a paucity in the contemporary literature, with only ten articles retrieved. Analysis revealed five main theses: (1) systemic injustices impacting leadership opportunities, (2) complex responsibilities beyond typical roles, (3) underrepresentation in leadership positions, (4) shifting from colonial leadership models and (5) effective methods for leadership development. Opportunities identified included promoting equitable leadership, fostering integrated relationships, building cultural resilience and emphasising community-orientated leadership approaches.
Conclusion
Promoting adequate representation and developing culturally safe leadership models are essential steps towards empowering First Nations nurses and midwives in their leadership development. The study highlights the need for targeted leadership development strategies for First Nations nurses and midwives to enhance representation and impact within healthcare systems globally.
Details
- Title
- Exploring first nations nursing and midwifery leadership development: an international scoping review
- Authors
- Odette Best - University of Southern QueenslandCatelyn Richards (Author) - University of Southern QueenslandLynne Stuart - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - NursingLinda Deravin - University of Southern QueenslandAletha Ward (Corresponding Author) - University of Southern Queensland
- Publication details
- Contemporary Nurse, Vol.61(4), pp.332-351
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1080/10376178.2025.2461556
- ISSN
- 1839-3535
- PMID
- 39918046
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way. The terms on which this article has been published allow the posting of the Accepted Manuscript in a repository by the author(s) or with their consent.
- Organisation Unit
- Indigenous and Transcultural Research Centre; School of Health - Nursing
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991102046202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
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103 Record Views
InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Nursing
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Source: SDGs from InCites