Other Titles
Nursing Leadership
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics, behaviors, and context for top performing nurse executive leaders.
Methods: A qualitative study of 8 senior ranking, retired United States military nurse executives was approved by the institutional IRB to conduct semi-structured interviews utilizing the historical narrative method. A modified "Life History Questionnaire: Nurses", developed by Dr. Lucinda McCray was utilized to guide the semi-structures interviews. All interviews were conducted within an eight-month time period. The interviews were audio recorded, and then transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data was examined both in historical context and narrative themes using DiCicco-Bloom and Crabtree"s qualitative technique as described in "Making sense of qualitative research" (2006).
Results: Each of the nurses served in a top leadership position during a different time frame. Contextual factors related to health care policies, political environment, and develop of nursing as a profession were discussed. Leadership challenges and accomplishments were identified. Personal characteristics of integrity, service, sacrifice, and humility were consistent, however, leadership strategies varied some based on contextual factors. Stories were extremely touching, emotionally moving, and rewarding.
Conclusion: The combined executive leadership experience of the 8 nurses stretched across 32 years with combined responsibility over 100,000 nurses revealing the stages of nurse advancement from the role of hand-maiden to the role of advanced practice nurse and healthcare executive. The visionary leadership impact of the 8 executive nurses interviewed was nothing less than transformational. The insights from this study have relevance to a broader range of health care leadership roles. Nurses are uniquely prepared through their education and clinical practices to lead teams, but require additional knowledge and skills before successfully moving into executive healthcare leadership. The insight gained from this study demonstrates that retired Senior Nurse Executives can play a vital role in facilitating the success of the next generation of nurse executive leaders.
Sigma Membership
Pi Nu
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Executive, Leadership, Nurse
Recommended Citation
Hughes, Robie Victoria, "Leadership insights of senior nurse executives" (2017). INRC (Congress). 79.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2017/presentations_2017/79
Conference Name
28th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Dublin, Ireland
Conference Year
2017
Rights Holder
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Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Leadership insights of senior nurse executives
Dublin, Ireland
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics, behaviors, and context for top performing nurse executive leaders.
Methods: A qualitative study of 8 senior ranking, retired United States military nurse executives was approved by the institutional IRB to conduct semi-structured interviews utilizing the historical narrative method. A modified "Life History Questionnaire: Nurses", developed by Dr. Lucinda McCray was utilized to guide the semi-structures interviews. All interviews were conducted within an eight-month time period. The interviews were audio recorded, and then transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data was examined both in historical context and narrative themes using DiCicco-Bloom and Crabtree"s qualitative technique as described in "Making sense of qualitative research" (2006).
Results: Each of the nurses served in a top leadership position during a different time frame. Contextual factors related to health care policies, political environment, and develop of nursing as a profession were discussed. Leadership challenges and accomplishments were identified. Personal characteristics of integrity, service, sacrifice, and humility were consistent, however, leadership strategies varied some based on contextual factors. Stories were extremely touching, emotionally moving, and rewarding.
Conclusion: The combined executive leadership experience of the 8 nurses stretched across 32 years with combined responsibility over 100,000 nurses revealing the stages of nurse advancement from the role of hand-maiden to the role of advanced practice nurse and healthcare executive. The visionary leadership impact of the 8 executive nurses interviewed was nothing less than transformational. The insights from this study have relevance to a broader range of health care leadership roles. Nurses are uniquely prepared through their education and clinical practices to lead teams, but require additional knowledge and skills before successfully moving into executive healthcare leadership. The insight gained from this study demonstrates that retired Senior Nurse Executives can play a vital role in facilitating the success of the next generation of nurse executive leaders.