Nurses in leadership positions play a crucial role in clinical decision-making that impacts patient care and health outcomes. Among leadership styles, authentic leadership, characterized by self-awareness, transparency, and ethics, has been identified as a key determinant in the decision-making process of nurse leaders. This leadership directly influences how nurses make decisions and lead their teams. Understanding the factors influencing this leadership and decision-making can inform strategies to enhance nursing practice and healthcare delivery. This systematic review explores the determinants influencing decision-making in nurse leaders, with a particular focus on the impact of authentic leadership. The objective is also to identify leadership behaviors and characteristics that affect decision-making outcomes in nursing practice. The methodology includes a systematic review of studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus were used to search for studies on leadership styles, decision-making processes, and outcomes within the nursing context, with an emphasis on authentic leadership. Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies were analyzed to provide a comprehensive view of the determinants of decision-making in nursing leadership. Preliminary results indicate that individual factors such as experience and training, as well as organizational elements like institutional culture and administrative support, are major determinants. Additionally, communication skills, emotional intelligence, and organizational support play a key role in improving decision-making. Nurse empowerment also enhances their ability to make informed decisions, thus positively impacting patient care outcomes.

Stephanie Dorval is a registered nurse, researcher, and academic specializing in nursing. She holds a bachelor's degree from Lumière University of MEBSH in Haiti and a master's degree in nursing with a focus on health promotion from the University of Pernambuco (UPE) in Brazil. With over ten years of experience in public and community health, she has collaborated with organizations like HAVEN Foundation, IMC, ACTED, MSPP, and Project HOPE. Currently pursuing a doctorate at the Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing, University of São Paulo (USP), her thesis explores the influence of leadership, particularly authentic leadership, on nurses' decision-making. Stephanie’s research aims to enhance nursing practices and health services management, emphasizing ethics, transparency, and leadership. Her career reflects a commitment to improving healthcare quality and nurse leadership development in evolving healthcare environments.