CHIEF NURSE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP IN SMALL RURAL HOSPITALS.
Contributors: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
Published: 1992
Number of pages: 281
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Women's Studies.; Health Sciences, Health Care Management.
Description: The purpose of this descriptive study was to inductively develop a substantive theory of Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) leadership in small rural hospitals using grounded theory methodology. Data were collected over an eleven month period from a theoretical sample of 13 CNEs. Data sources included observation of one to two days duration in the field, a formal, audiotaped, unstructured interview, and researcher field notes and theoretical memos.

Through the constant comparative method of data analysis, a core category and beginning substantive theory of CNE leadership emerged. The process of CNE leadership in small rural hospitals emerged as Building connections to nursing within a changing world. These connections of self and nursing activities within the hospital framework were accomplished through three ongoing and simultaneous processes. Connecting with people was the hallmark of the CNEs' practice through which they established numerous personal contacts and established a broad information and support network. Sustaining nursing operations was the CNEs' reason for being and connected nursing within the organizational operation. Relating to the CEO was a critical component of the connective process, and had a great impact on the success of the leadership process.

A conceptual figure of a wheel was developed to illustrate the substantive theory. Building connections to nursing within a changing world was compared to contemporary views of leadership from the fields of business administration and nursing, social exchange theory, and Roger's conceptual system.

The significance of this study for nursing is that it generated an initial substantive theory that provides a foundation for future theory development and adds to the knowledge base of nursing administration. It sensitizes nurses and nurse educators to the process of CNE leadership in a setting that has rarely been examined even though almost half of the hospitals in this country, and a significant number of nurses, are in located in rural areas.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-08, Section: B, page: 4031.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER, 1992.

School code: 0831.