Research article summary (published 30 Oct 2007):

Nurse leaders' views on clinical ladders as a strategy in professional development.

Full Abstract

AIM: To investigate nurse leaders' views on clinical ladders as a strategy in professional development of nursing. BACKGROUND: Hospitals worldwide have implemented clinical ladders to boost professional development and improve quality of patient care. At ward level good leadership is vital in creating a learning environment and using nurses' new competence. METHOD: The design was explorative and data were collected in focus groups with 19 nurse leaders at the ward level and 24 executive nurse leaders at hospitals with several years of experience with clinical ladders. RESULTS: Most nurse leaders did not think strategically in promoting clinical ladders at the organizational level. Nurse leaders who considered clinical ladders a tool in developing nursing quality found motivational work challenging and rewarding. Not all nurse leaders managed to utilize clinical specialists' new competence. CONCLUSION: Further investigation into nurse leaders' actions as strategic managers of development and use of nurses' competence is warranted. Implications for nursing management It is important that managers see the close connection between professional development of individuals and development of quality and high standard in the ward. A prerequisite is therefore to engage in the strategic planning of competence at all levels of decision in the organization.

Author information

Author/s: Tørstad, Solveig (S); Bjørk, Ida Torunn (IT);

Affiliation: Asker and Baerum Hospital, Rud, Norway. solveig.torstad(-atsign-)sabhf.no

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of nursing management (J Nurs Manag), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Nov; vol 15 (issue 8) : pp 817-24

Dates: Created 2007/10/19; Completed 2008/01/03;

PMID: 17944607, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Attitude of Health Personnel Career Mobility Education, Nursing, Continuing - organization & administration Focus Groups Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Health Services Needs and Demand Humans Interprofessional Relations Job Satisfaction Leadership Motivation Norway

Nurse Administrators - psychology Nurse's Role - psychology Nursing Methodology Research Nursing Staff, Hospital - education; organization & administration; psychology Professional Autonomy Professional Competence Qualitative Research Quality of Health Care Questionnaires Social Support Staff Development - organization & administration Thinking

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