Nursing leadership and clinical development units : unravelling the myth

Abstract

Australian Clinical Development Units (Nursing) (CDUs(N)) take their name from the British Nursing Development Unit (NDU) movement, which has been widely credited with introducing innovative approaches to developing nurses and nursing. A network of nine CDUs(N) was set up in an urban area health service in Australia in 1997. The aim of this project was to develop existing wards or units into centres of excellence by disseminating a new vision for Australian nurses, based on the pioneering work of the British NDU (Nursing Development Unit) movement. This research study set out to develop an understanding of the phenomena of CDU(N) leadership by interviewing these new CDU(N) leaders over time. Principles of Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology provided a framework for the study. Despite attempts to implement a variety of measures to nurture these CDUs(N) until they had become well established, the participants were unable to maintain the CDU(N) vision with which they had been entrusted. This thesis discusses their immediate reactions to the problems they faced, the new understandings they developed over time and the regrets and disillusionment many of them retained. The recommendations made for future projects are discussed in the light of the experiences of these participants and the current Australian health care climate.

Date of Award	2004
Original language	English