THE CHARACTERISTICS, ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF DEPARTMENTAL CHAIRPERSONS IN NURSING.
Contributors: Ohio University.
Published: 1995
Number of pages: 203
Subjects: Education, Administration.; Health Sciences, Nursing.; Education, Higher.; Health Sciences, Education.
Description: The purpose of the study was to identify, assess, and analyze aspects of the characteristics, roles and functions of chairpersons in schools of nursing. The target sample was 456 department chairpersons of schools of nursing accredited by the National League for Nursing in four-year colleges and universities, involving generic students receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Data collection involved a questionnaire, cover letter outlining the goals of the study, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. These documents were mailed to 456 subjects and a follow-up letter/questionnaire was mailed after 4 weeks, followed by a postcard reminder. A total of 298 usable responses resulted in a 72% response rate.

General/demographic information indicated that 55% were public than private institutions, the mean number of years was 4.7 years in current administrative position (61%), the salary range consisted of $35,000 to \$75,000 or greater, the mean age was 51.2 years, the FTE student enrollment was less than 2,499 (37%), the FTE student department size was 100 to 299 (49%), and the FTE faculty size was 10 to 19 (37%). A significant relationship existed between degree of difficulty in various decision making processes and size of participants institution, specifically department chairpersons in institutions with FTE student enrollments less than 2,499 found decisions among merit pay and resource reallocation less difficult. A significant relationship between career paths and type of participants institution, indicated that chairpersons held a faculty position in public than private institutions prior to their current position as department chairperson in nursing. A significant relationship exists between career aspirations of chairpersons and participants age and number of years in current administrative position. Chairpersons in current position 5 years or less aspire to become dean of nursing, more than 10 years aspire to retire. Chairpersons between the age of 41 to 50 aspire to become academic vice president/provost and dean of nursing, while chairpersons between the age of 51 to 60 aspire to retire.

Future research may involve replication of the study among department chairpersons in other disciplines among four-year colleges/universities.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-08, Section: A, page: 2956.

Thesis (PH.D.)--OHIO UNIVERSITY, 1995.

School code: 0167.