Vickie Hughes
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, USA
Title: Nursing leadership development within the Irish context
Biography
Biography: Vickie Hughes
Abstract
Purpose: There is limited literature published related to nursing leadership development within small island countries. This project, Irish Nurse Leadership Development, is part of a larger study examining cultural factors that influence leadership development within four small island countries in Europe. The development of nursing leadership in Ireland is on-going and still found today. This study examined phenomenal nurse leaders who found ways to make numerous advancements in nursing as a profession. The purpose of this study was to understand nurse leadership development within the Irish context.
Method: A focused ethnographical research design was used in interviewing four Irish nurses as they have evolved and assumed clinical, administrative, and academic leadership roles.
Results: The major themes from this study included: critical feminist theory, leadership strategies, political acumen, and cultural impact.
Conclusion: Irish nurse leaders demonstrated strategies to overcome cultural, political, and socio-economic barriers to influence policy in developing their nursing practice and leadership role while forging a path toward professional development and advancement.