CIRCLING THE WAGONS AND SHOOTING INWARD”: UNDERSTANDING HOW NURSING ADMINISTRATORS APPROACH THE POLICY PROCESS

The purpose of this qualitative study was to develop an understanding of factors that nursing education executives in higher education believe are essential to influencing and implementing sound policy decisions. This study sought to answer the following: (a) what characteristics and skills do nurse administrators in higher education believe are essential to positively influencing the policy-making process, and (b) what organizational features do these nurse executives believe impede or facilitate their ability to influence policy processes? This study utilized an exploratory qualitative design representing a collective case study. The sample selection was purposive and included in-depth interviews with nurse educators who had at least two years’ experience as nursing education executives. Themes emerging from the narrative data were that a collaboration leadership style, effective communication, and political awareness were considered essential skills for successfully navigating the policy process. The theme of complexity created by institutions and stakeholders involved in policy was observed. Implications of the study included (a) the complexity of higher education institutions regarding the need to interface with multiple internal and external stakeholders acts as a barrier to policy process, (b) lack of formal preparation to manage policy can be a barrier for nurse leaders who typically lack such preparation, and (c) collaboration is at the center of how these nurse leaders drive and implement policy in their educational institutions. Recommendations made for future research include, (a) complexity and nursing education, (b) preparation of nurse education for policy-making, and (c) understanding policy experiences of a more diverse group of nurse educators