Seasoned Nurse Administrators Saga: In the Changing and Challenging Times

ABSTRACT

@#This research endeavored to explore, describe and document the saga of experienced nurse administrators to come up with reflective learning in nursing leadership and management. A qualitative phenomenological approach was utilized, specifically descriptive and interpretative methods of Husserl and Heidegger. Purposive sampling and referral were employed to select eight participants from the three fields of nursing administration(academe, hospital, and community) within Luzon, Philippines. An in-depth interview about the participants' experiences in nursing and nursing administration, together with a review of historical narratives and personal accounts were engaged to generate data. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and were analyzed following hermeneutic interpretive phenomenology. An integrated analysis of literature showed parallel descriptions of participants' responses and the context of historical accounts and events in nursing in the Philippines. Four main themes have emerged in the saga of Seasoned Nurse Administrators (SNAs): 1) Nurse administrators' responses according to the need and context of nursing in their times; 2) Nursing foundations and training are geared towards the values of nursing as a service profession, 3) The pathways towards becoming a nurse administrator are marked with competence in the roles undertaken and living the passion for service; 4) SNAs facing challenges are towards the improvement of life conditions, excellence in their profession, and setting advocacies to elevate the nursing profession in the country in the 21st century. A conceptual model was formulated in understanding the paths towards a seasoned nurse administrator.