Nursing Leadership Insight Study Series (2020–2025)
Over five years, Joslin Insight partnered with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) and the AONL Foundation to capture the voices of more than 14,000 nurse leaders through six national studies. Conducted in real time during the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic transition, the series offers one of the most comprehensive portraits of nursing leadership during a defining era in health care.
Across the series, we heard from 14,287 nurse leaders—managers, directors, CNOs, and executives—who generously shared their insights. The studies have since inspired countless articles, dissertations, professional reports, and formal leadership recognition, contributing to the broader dialogue on the future of nursing leadership.
The final study in January 2025 drew 3,128 responses—the highest engagement in the series—a fitting culmination of five years of insight.
To ensure these contributions remain accessible for colleagues, researchers, and future leaders, the full archive of all six studies is provided below. You can also explore the data interactively through our public Tableau dashboards.
July 2020 – COVID-19 Insight Survey
Captured the initial impact of the pandemic on nurse leaders, highlighting challenges such as PPE shortages, surge staffing, and the emotional toll on staff.
February 2021 – Longitudinal Study
Tracked changes since July 2020, noting improvements in PPE access but worsening challenges in mental health, burnout, and staffing shortages.
August 2021 – Longitudinal Study
Exposed alarming rises in staffing shortages and declining emotional health among nurse leaders, even as some operational challenges improved.
August 2022 – Longitudinal Study
Introduced new measures on workplace violence and bullying, while also assessing preparedness for future surges and the evolving emotional health of nurse leaders.
November 2023 – Longitudinal Study
Showed modest improvement in emotional health, but growing concerns around recruitment, retention, financial pressures, and workplace violence.
January 2025 – Longitudinal Study
The final and most engaged study, with 3,128 responses, explored persistent staffing and workplace violence issues alongside new priorities like technology adoption and care redesign.
Our sincere thanks to Robyn Begley, Dani Ward, Terese Thrall, Stacey Chappell, the AONL Presidents, and the entire AONL team for seeing the value in gathering this data over the years. We are equally grateful to every nurse leader who shared their voice. Together, these perspectives form one of the most comprehensive, real-time records of nursing leadership during a defining era in health care.
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