Characteristics of Nurse Directors That Contribute to Registered Nurse Satisfaction.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to explore RNs and nurse directors' (NDs') perceptions of leadership on units with high RN satisfaction scores.


BACKGROUND
Identifying the characteristics of NDs that contribute to RN satisfaction is important in the recruitment and retention of RNs and in the selection and role development of NDs.


METHODS
This study used a qualitative design using appreciative inquiry-guided data collection.


RESULTS
Nine RNs and 9 NDs met the inclusion criteria. Each group identified 4 themes.


CONCLUSIONS
Registered nurse and ND participants identified similar themes representative of leadership attributes and behaviors that contribute to RN satisfaction.
Author Affiliations: Associate Chief Nurse, Women and Children, Mental Health, Cancer Center and Community Health Nursing Practice (Dr Burke); Nurse Scientist, Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and, Associate Professor, Boston College Connell School of Nursing (Dr Flanagan); Executive Director, Patient Care Services Operations and Magnet Recognition (Dr Ditomassi), Massachusetts General Hospital; and Vice President and Associate Chief Nurse (Dr Hickey), Cardiovascular and Critical Care Services, Boston Children's Hospital, and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Debra
D
Burke
Jane
J
Flanagan
Marianne
M
Ditomassi
Patricia A
PA
Hickey
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D055815:Young Adult