A dimensional analysis of role enactment of acute care nurses.
OBJECTIVE
To identify dimensions of the role enactment process of acute care nurses.


METHODS
Dimensional analysis, rooted in grounded theory methodology, was used to analyze the role enactment process.


METHODS
Twenty-eight articles related to acute care staff nurse roles were selected for analysis. Articles were from eight countries and were published between 1995 and 2002. Significant phrases or themes from each document were categorized to identify themes.


RESULTS
Initial analysis of the articles indicated 37 separate dimensions in the role enactment process of acute care nurses. The final, integrative analysis reduced the initial 37 to 7 core dimensions: care delivery, autonomy, culture management, information management, leadership, psychologic management, and relationship management. The analysis showed a role that is rooted in management processes.


CONCLUSIONS
The multidimensional nature of the role of acute care nurses was indicated in the dimensional analysis. The findings have implications for the administration and education of nurses, as well as for human resource development of nurses in many parts of the world.
Squires
Allison
A
Yale University School of Nursing, New Haven, CT, USA. asquires@earthlink.net
D000208:Acute Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007587:Job Description; D007857:Leadership; D016294:Models, Nursing; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D017009:Professional Autonomy