The practice of self-leadership in personal and professional development of contract nursing staff in the environment of a higher education institution

Abstract

Self-leadership is a comprehensive self-influence perspective that concerns leading oneself toward the performance of naturally motivating tasks and managing oneself to do work that must be done but that is not naturally motivating. Contract employment is increasingly becoming a trend among higher education institutions to address nursing faculty shortages. Therefore, self-leadership may be challenging for contract employers to remain positive about their temporary employment status. Studies highlight that contract staff continue to feel under-valued and that job insecurity and fewer benefits may decrease their level of motivation and self-leadership in an organisation. Self-leadership, however, may assist contract staff to regulate their own actions, personally and professionally, because the motivation to lead may promote higher productivity and a more fulfilling career. A review of literature on self-leadership was conducted within the conceptual framework This paper provides a review of literature on self-leadership that was integrated into a conceptual framework of using power, authority and influence in the context of contract staff at an undergraduate nursing school. This concept paper therefore outlines a new framework on how self-leadership of contract workers can enhance their personal and professional development.