THE ROLE OF THE WARD SISTER IN THE MANAGEMENT OF NURSING: A STUDY OF THE ORGANISATION OF NURSING ON AN INDIVIDUALISED PATIENT BASIS.
Contributors: University Of Edinburgh (United Kingdom)
Published: 1978
Number of pages: 273
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: Available from UMI in association with The British Library. Requires signed TDF.

A method is described of identifying ward sisters who manage ward nursing on an individual patient basis.

The study draws on organisation and management theory. Fifty sisters were observed for completion of a daily nursing management cycle in relation to each patient and each nurse. A classification of the total daily activity of the ward sister based on the concept of role differentiation was developed. The methods of data collection were interviews and continuous observation.

A minority of the sisters managed the nursing on an individualised patient basis. The degree to which the ward sister completed the management cycle activities was proportionately related to the extent to which the nursing was organised in relation to individual patients and nurses. Exercise of a formal managerial role was associated with high role differentiation. Characteristics of sisters identified as managers included academic qualifications and professional post-basic training which exceeded the sample average, and evidence of learning from role models rather than from formal management training.

The findings on the non-management of ward nursing are related to aspects of management theory, and to recent changes in the senior nursing management structure. It is concluded that the ward sister does not have the minimal managerial authority deemed necessary to exercise a managerial role. The relationship between management of the nursing and individualised nursing of patients is discussed. Implications for one development of the role of the ward sister and research arising from the present study are outlined.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-04, Section: B, page: 1091.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (UNITED KINGDOM), 1978.

School code: 0450.