The CASAGRA
Transformative
Leadership Model
Applying Nursing Theory to Practice
Sister Carolina S. Agravante
Who is the proponent?
• Sister Carolina S. Agravante, SPC, RN, PhD is a
distinguished Filipina nurse theorist.
• BS Nursing, St. Paul College, Manila (1964).
• Master's in Nursing Education, Catholic University of
America.
• PhD in Nursing, University of the Philippines, Manila
(2002).
• A dedicated leader who has served as president of St.
Paul University Iloilo and held numerous key roles in
nursing education.
What is the Theory?
• The CASAGRA Transformative Leadership Model is
a psycho-spiritual model for nurse leaders and
educators
• The name CASAGRA is a portmanteau of her name:
CArolina S. AGRAvante
• It was developed in response to the need for strong
nursing leadership in a globalized healthcare
environment.
• It is classified as a Practice Theory, focusing on the
development of servant-leaders in nursing.
Key Concepts of the Theory
The model is a Three-Fold Transformative
Leadership Concept:
• Servant-Leader Spirituality: Leadership grounded in
the desire to serve others, inspired by the teachings of
Jesus Christ.
• Self-Mastery: Deep self-awareness expressed through
a "vibrant care complex"—the core of a caregiver's
personality.
• Special Expertise: A high level of clinical and
professional competence in one's specific area of
Assumptions and Relational
Statements
The theory operates on several key assumptions:
• A nurse's "care complex" is directly linked to their
leadership behavior.
• The CASAGRA servant-leadership formula (retreats,
workshops, seminars) is an effective tool for enhancing
leadership skills.
• A person with a dynamic care complex is the
cornerstone of nursing leadership.
• Effective nursing leadership is essential to guide the
profession and set a vision for its practitioners.
Critique of the Theory:
Strengths
Clear Framework: Provides a structured path for
developing nurse leaders, especially in academic
settings.
Relevant Focus: The emphasis on servant leadership is
highly appropriate for a caring profession like nursing.
Adaptable: While designed for nursing, its principles of
service and self-mastery can be applied to leadership
development in other fields.
Holistic Approach: Integrates the spiritual, personal,
and professional dimensions of a leader.
Critique of the Theory: Limitations
• Limited Generalizability: The model's strong
foundation in Christian spirituality may not be
universally applicable in secular or multicultural
environments.
• Narrow Scope: As a practice theory, it focuses
primarily on nursing faculty and administrators, with
less direct guidance for clinical nurses in non-leadership
roles.
• Potential for Contamination: The original study
noted that during the intervention, participants from the
control and study groups could have casually discussed
the concepts, potentially influencing the results.
Application in Nursing Education &
Administration
• Education:
• Aims to develop "transformative teachers" who empower
students.
• Encourages educators to be passionate, selfless, and to use
evidence-based, reflective teaching methods.
• Administration:
• Nurse administrators can use the servant-leader concept to
create a supportive and empowering work environment.
• Focusing on staff growth and well-being can improve job
satisfaction, retention, and team cohesion.
Application in Nursing Research &
Practice
• Research:
• Provides a framework for studying the impact of servant
leadership on outcomes like patient satisfaction and staff
morale.
• Researchers can test the effectiveness of the "servant-leader
formula" in various clinical settings.
• Practice:
• A charge nurse can embody servant-leader principles by
actively listening, providing support, and empowering their
team.
• Promotes a proactive, compassionate, and collaborative
approach to leadership in daily clinical tasks.
Example of Integration in the
Workplace
• Integration of CASAGRA Model:
1. Servant-Leadership: The manager starts monthly
"reflection rounds" for staff to share experiences and
support each other.
2. Self-Mastery: They provide resources for professional
development and stress management to strengthen
the team's "care complex."
3. Special Expertise: A mentorship program is
launched, pairing senior nurses with new graduates to
build clinical skills and confidence.
References
• CASAGRA Transformative Leadership Model Blog. (n.d.).
Retrieved from http://casagramodel.blogspot.com/
• Octaviano, E. F., & Farid, A. (n.d.). CASAGRA
Transformative Leadership Model of Sister Carolina S.
Agravante. Scribd. Retrieved from
https://www.scribd.com/presentation/442501997/CASAG
RA-PPT-pptx
• Quizlet Study Guide: CASAGRA Transformative
Leadership. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://quizlet.com/study-guides/casagra-transformative
-leadership-and-nursing-theories-775573d3-0828-4b1a-
840a-18663e30f3e1
