SYMBOTICS IN NURSING ADMINISTRATION.
Contributors: Indiana University School of Nursing.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 224
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Health Care Management.; Language, General.
Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current presence of shared language and meaning between the nurse executive and the assistant nurse executives, between the assistants and the middle managers, and between the middle managers and the staff nurses for the words quality, care, and quality of care as they relate to nursing. Pondy's theory concerning language and meaning in organizations provided the theoretical foundation for this study.

This research was an exploratory case study. An adapted ethnographic-ethnoscientific methodology was used. Five research questions rather than hypotheses were addressed. Members of a nursing department representing all of the previous mentioned levels were interviewed face-to-face. These interviews were guided by the use of a semi-structured interview format. The interviews were audiotaped.

Data were analyzed through a content analysis that included the following five steps: (a) review of the data transcripts for the words used to describe quality, care, and quality of care; (b) establishment of grounded and valuative meanings; (c) identification of metaphors used to describe the words; (d) identification of data patterns; and (e) assessment of interrater reliability. Demographic data collected at the time of the interview were analyzed through descriptive statistics.

The findings for this study were diverse. The researcher found that for this particular sample, the words and meanings used to discuss quality, care, and quality of care in nursing were not completely shared. In most instances, the greatest diversity occurred between the upper administrators and the staff nurses. Middle managers tended to represent both staff nurses and upper administration in their chosen words. In addition, middle managers and staff nurses expressed words for quality in a developmental fashion; i.e., that the potential for quality increases as the maturity and confidence of the nurse increases.

This study has great implications for nursing administration. Some questions that should be addressed are: What conditions are necessary for the development of quality and care in nursing? How do Nurse-Preceptor, Nurse-Mentor, residency programs and internships in nursing impact on the development of quality and care in nursing?.

Recommendations for further study were made.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-10, Section: B, page: 4777.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--INDIANA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF NURSING, 1989.

School code: 0815.