Examination Date

5-2022

Degree

Dissertation

Degree Program

Nursing (PhD)

Examination Committee

Marsha J. Bennett, Demetrius Porche, Lee McDaniel, Tanya Schreiber, Denise Danna, Jennifer Manning

Abstract

The healthcare System Chief Nurse Executive (SCNE) is a job role with expansive oversight of

fiscal, operational, quality, and nursing-related tasks across multiple healthcare entities. Despite

their extensive responsibilities, there is a dearth of research targeting this population of nurse

executives and the competencies required to perform their duties. Previously published anecdotal

and non-research white papers addressed competencies, but methodological research has not

been reported. Thus, published SCNE competencies are not derived using research or input from

nurses that have performed in the role of the SCNE. This Delphi study recruited an expert panel

of SCNEs to obtain consensus of their experiences, opinions, and perceptions regarding the

competencies required to perform their SCNE role. To obtain data about SCNE competencies,

268 experts in a SCNE role were contacted to serve as the sample and complete three rounds of

online surveys. Six SCNEs returned the Round 1 survey with their demographic information and

responses to a series of open-ended questions pertaining to the SCNE role, Following thematic

analysis, the Round 1 data formed the basis of the survey for Round 2. In the Round 2 survey,

statements summarized from thematic analysis were presented for panelist rating using a fivepoint

Likert scale to determine agreement or disagreement. Only one item did not reach

consensus in Round 2. Panelists ranked the resultant items in the final Round 3. Results

represented a consensus of the 59 competencies of the SCNE. These competencies were

compared to those presented by AONL and other extant literature. Overall SCNE expert

panelists agreed that there are easily identifiable competencies needed to perform their role, and

consensus of these competencies was achieved within Round 2. Implications for research

include the need for validation of these findings and the future identification of the most valued

competencies by SCNEs. Further delineation of hospital chief nursing officers’ interactions with

SCNEs can impact the education required to prepare SCNEs of the future.

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