title: Virginia Cleland: an oral history by her colleagues and mentorees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study, an oral history, was to create a documented account of how Virginia Cleland was experienced by her colleagues and those she mentored.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected for 8 months by snowball sampling of colleagues and mentorees. Nineteen individuals from across the United States were contacted and interviewed via telephone.
  
  
  METHODS
  An oral history method was used to allow selected colleagues and mentorees of Cleland to talk about their experiences with her as a nurse scholar, academic, advocate for women, and visionary. The following 5 predominant themes were identified: (1) keeping boundaries clear; (2) "outspoken" leadership; (3) intense commitment to potential growth of others; (4) pragmatic, creative ideas, and action; and (5) equal rights for women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The oral history method is an effective way to demonstrate the characteristics of nurse leaders who contribute to successes in their careers. Nurses are given the opportunity to evaluate the qualities of leadership, especially in turbulent and challenging times.
authors.affiliation: Boston College, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3812, USA.
authors.forename: Rosanna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Demarco
authors.forename: Jonathan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Judy
mesh_terms: D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000266:history*; D005783:Gender Identity; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008611:Mentors / Q000266:history*; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000266:history; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000266:history*; D011361:Professional Competence; D014481:United States