title: Philanthropic Donor Perspectives on Supporting Nursing Excellence in a Community Hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this research is to explore donors' perspectives on support of nursing excellence in a community hospital.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Philanthropic support is rapidly becoming critical to support nursing excellence in hospitals, including continuing education, nursing research, and professional development. However, no research has examined the experience of private donors who support nursing programs in community hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Structured interviews were conducted with individuals with a history of providing significant financial support (gifts >$50 000) targeted specifically for nursing in a 176- bed community hospital in the southeastern United States. Analysis was performed using descriptive content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four themes emerged that centered around making a difference, helping nurses meet new challenges, an existing foundation of service, and valuing excellent nursing care received.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research provides specific information that nursing administrators can use when seeking philanthropic gifts to support nursing excellence programs in US community hospitals.
authors: Author Affiliations: Clinical Nurse Educator (Ms Fickley), Chief Operating Officer (Dr Black), and Research Coordinator (Dr DeGuzman), Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital; Vice President (Mr Mishler), Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation; and Assistant Professor (Dr DeGuzman), School of Nursing, Department of Family, Community, and Mental Health Systems, University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
authors: Sharon K
authors: SK
authors: Fickley
authors: Ray R
authors: RR
authors: Mishler
authors: Amelia S
authors: AS
authors: Black
authors: Pam B
authors: PB
authors: DeGuzman
mesh_terms: D002608:Charities / Q000379:methods*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D037921:Gift Giving; D006764:Hospitals, Community / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States