Political Influence, Facilitators and Barriers in the Decision‐Making Processes of Executive Nurse Leaders During the COVID‐19 Pandemic in Spain: An Ethnographic Study

The political influence on the work of ENLs is discussed, as well as the influence of ENLs on healthcare policy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Facilitators and barriers during the decision-making process are identified. The study provides new knowledge to help understand the contribution and challenges of ENLs during the context studied. We recommend the implementation of governmental strategies to promote nurse leadership, to eliminate the detected barriers and to combat prejudice and gender bias, recognising the strategic value of nurses during healthcare crises. The findings need to be aligned with policy changes in countries with a similar political context.