The new clinical leadership role of senior charge nurses: a mixed methods study of their views and experience

Stoddart, Kathleen; Bugge, Carol; Shepherd, Ashley; Farquharson, Barbara

Abstract

Aims

To investigate the experience and views of senior charge nurses in relation to the implementation of a national clinical leadership policy.
Background

The role of the senior charge nurse in providing clinical leadership is evolving. However, recent evidence suggests that research is needed to inform the development of leadership and quality improvement and to connect them.
Methods

Data were collected using an electronic survey to all senior charge nurses in one locality and semi-structured interviews with a subsample of respondents. Fifty (54%) senior charge nurses responded to the survey and nine were interviewed.
Results

Senior charge nurses reported mainly positive perceptions of clinical leadership, clinical team performance and improvement of care delivery for patients following the leadership programme implementation. Themes related to confidence, quality improvement and team performance were generated.
‘Leading Better Care’ was reported to enhance senior charge nurse clinical leadership, with some development needed to link the details of change management with the wider strategic direction.

Citation

Stoddart, K., Bugge, C., Shepherd, A., & Farquharson, B. (2012). The new clinical leadership role of senior charge nurses: a mixed methods study of their views and experience. Journal of Nursing Management, 22(1), 49-59. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12008

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 2, 2012
• Online Publication Date: Jan 13, 2014
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2012
• Deposit Date: Aug 2, 2016
• Journal: Journal of Nursing Management
• Print ISSN: 0966-0429
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2834
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 49-59
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.12008
• Keywords: clinical; leadership; professional practice; quality improvement
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/323614