The experience of being a shift-leader in a hospital ward.
J Adv Nurs
; 63(1): 45-53, 2008 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18503533
ABSTRACT
AIM:
This paper is a report of a study to explore the experience of being a shift-leader, and how these nurses view the management of their shift.BACKGROUND:
Professional demands on skilled and capable shift-leaders, who competently handle multi-disciplinary staff and patients, as well as operations and information, call for the development of efficient nursing leadership roles. Nevertheless, knowledge of shift-leaders' perspectives concerning their task management and leadership styles is relatively limited.METHOD:
Twenty-eight Registered Nurses working in an Israeli medical centre participated in this qualitative study. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews conducted in two phases between February and October 2005 three focus group interviews (phase 1) followed by seven individual interviews (phase 2).FINDINGS:
Content analysis revealed two major themes which constitute the essence of being a shift-leader (1) a burden of responsibility, where the shift-leader moves between positions of maximum control and delegating some responsibility to other nurses; (2) the role's temporal dimension, expressed as a strong desire to reach the end of the shift safely, and taking managerial perspectives beyond the boundaries of the specific shift. The core of the shift-leader's position is an immense sense of responsibility. However, this managerial role is transient and therefore lacks an established authority.CONCLUSION:
A two-dimensional taxonomy of these themes reveals four types of potential and actual coping among shift-leaders, indicating the need to train them in leadership skills and systemic thinking. Interventions to limit the potential stress hazards should be focused simultaneously on shift-leaders themselves and on job restructuring.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Atitude do Pessoal de Saúde
/
Supervisão de Enfermagem
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Gerenciamento do Tempo
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Liderança
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Recursos Humanos de Enfermagem Hospitalar
Tipo de estudo:
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2008
Tipo de documento:
Article