Boundary Spanning Leadership in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience of Nurse Leaders in a Large Integrated Long-term Health Care System.

ABSTRACT

This article provides insight into the impact of boundary spanning for nurse leaders in a large integrated post-acute health care system in the southeastern part of the United States as they responded (not reacted) to the COVID-19 pandemic that threatened the lives of 2 of society's most vulnerable populations, the elderly and the disabled. Through illustrative examples, the authors describe the 6 strategies of boundary spanning leadership-buffering, reflecting, connecting, mobilizing, weaving, and transforming-that enabled these nurse leaders to respond effectively during this crisis. The literature informs on the merit of situational leadership, as no single type of leadership is right for all circumstances. Today's new novel pandemic served as a powerful catalyst for a group of nurse leaders in a large non-acute network of health care organizations, their colleagues, and other key stakeholders to reframe the boundaries that existed between their organizations and associations, thus enabling them to successfully problem solve together to accomplish several high-stakes goals.