A Story of Emergent Leadership: Lived Experiences of Nurses in a Critical Access Hospital

Authors

  • Judith Maria Paré Becker College
  • Polly Petersen Montana State University, College of Nursing, Billings Campus
  • Dayle Boynton Sharp University of New Hampshire Nursing Department

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v17i2.454

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of nurses working in a predominantly rural care setting. In order to meet the needs of an aging population with multiple comorbidities, it is essential for leaders to understand the strategies to recruit and retain highly qualified nurses in CAHs settings.
Sample: Nine registered nurses working both full and part time with one to 40 years of experience participated in the interview process that queried their attitudes regarding working in a rural setting.
Findings: Five major themes included self-reliance, social responsibility, empathy, isolation, and emergent leadership.
Conclusions: The findings from this study support the notion that there is not a universal response to the lived experience of nurses working in CAHs. The unique needs of each nurse should be considered to enhance the practice environment and diminish experiences that result in feelings of isolation. Isolation impacted the five themes; if nurses are not able to maintain current knowledge and skills in a supportive environment, their self-reliance is compromised.

Keywords: Rural, Nursing, Self-reliance, Emerging leader

DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v17i2.454 

Author Biographies

  • Judith Maria Paré, Becker College

    Judith M. Paré, PhD., RN

    Dean of Nursing & Health Sciences

    Becker College

    Worcester Massachusetts

  • Polly Petersen, Montana State University, College of Nursing, Billings Campus
    Polly Petersen, PhD, RN
    Assistant Professor
    College of Nursing, Billings campus
    Montana State University
    polly.petersen@montana.edu
  • Dayle Boynton Sharp, University of New Hampshire Nursing Department
    Dayle Boynton Sharp PhD, DNP, McPH, APRN, FNP-BC.
    Clinical Associate Professor/Director of Family Nurse Practitioner Program
    Nursing Department
    University of New Hampshire
    Durham, NH
    Dayle.Sharp@unh.edu

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Published

2017-08-21

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 2 (2017)

Section

Articles

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