Assuming the mantle of leadership: issues and challenges for directors of nursing

• Published in: Journal of gerontological nursing Vol. 34; no. 11; p. 18
• Main Authors: Fleming, Mary Louise, Kayser-Jones, Jeanie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-11-2008
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adult; Aged; Anthropology, Cultural; Attitude of Health Personnel; Facility Regulation and Control; Health Facility Administrators - organization & administration; Health Facility Administrators - psychology; Humans; Interprofessional Relations; Leadership; Middle Aged; Morale; Nurse Administrators - education; Nurse Administrators - organization & administration; Nurse Administrators - psychology; Nurse's Role - psychology; Nursing Homes - organization & administration; Nursing Methodology Research; Personnel Turnover; Professional Autonomy; Social Support; Surveys and Questionnaires; Total Quality Management - organization & administration; United States; United States
• ISSN: 0098-9134
• DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20081101-05

This ethnographic study investigated leadership from the perspective of directors of nursing (DONs) in proprietary nursing homes. Data from interviews and extensive participant observation with 10 DONs were analyzed using open coding and content analysis. The study drew on a priori concepts from transformational leadership theory to describe the role, DON approaches to leadership, and factors that facilitate or impede leadership in nursing homes. This article reports findings from a larger study related to conditions existing when participants entered the DON position. Antecedent conditions influenced organizational expectations of incoming DONs and shaped participants' leadership experiences. DONs filling long-standing vacancies had to reestablish the influence and authority of the role. Those replacing unsuccessful DONs confronted serious regulatory, care, and morale issues. In contrast, DONs with successful predecessors experienced organizational support and had confidence in their abilities to lead.