Development of a leadership role in a secure environment.
The ever-changing demands of recruitment and retention, both nationally and at a local level, have resulted in many staff with little or no experience in managing a unit in a secure setting. This study aimed to elicit the views of a cross-section of unit-based staff and middle management, on their experiences of leadership and taking charge of a shift/unit. A qualitative descriptive design was adapted for this study. The data were collected using focus group interviews guided by semistructured interview schedules. Twenty-one subjects participated in three focus groups. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi's (1978) framework. Five themes emerged from the data analysis. These are: Perceived practical skills deficit, perceived difference in experience, training program, leadership skills, and teaching learning methods.


CONCLUSIONS
The themes generated will provide a framework to develop a training program, which will prepare staff to take on a leadership role within a unit, if required.
Rani
Shobha
S
Training & Development Department, National Forensic Mental Health Service, Dublin, Ireland.
Brennan
Michael
M
Timmons
David
D
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D017144:Focus Groups; D053604:Forensic Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000458:organization & administration; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007857:Leadership; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory / Q000458:organization & administration; D011330:Prisons / Q000458:organization & administration; D011361:Professional Competence; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy