A final implication of toxic leadership is that in toxic environments employees have to decide to conform to the current work environment, transfer to another unit or to leave the organization entirely. Unfortunately some employees are not maneuverable due to a lack of education, or they just simply cannot afford to change jobs because they are economically dependent on their current job. As a result, many employees accept toxic leadership, willingly conform to this leadership style and become the next generation of toxic leaders (Sutton, 2007; Wilson-Starks, 2009).  In the current economy nursing executives cannot afford to allow this toxic cycle to continue and spread into the next generation of future nursing leaders. Toxic leadership will spread and produce systematic damage in an organization.

Summary

Toxic managers do not save the organization money rather they cost it money in recruitment fees. They have infectious, devastating cumulative effects on the person, unit and organization. Nurse executives are in the position to stop this toxicity in the workplace and create healthy work environments for nurses. There is not a shortage of great leaders in nursing, but we need them to mentor and coach new nurse managers to help eliminate toxic behaviors. Let’s remove toxic managers, empower nursing staff, and create good leaders for the next generation of nurses to emulate. 
 
 
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