Keywords

health system integration, nursing executive, nursing education priorities, nursing leadership priorities, nursing practice priorities, nursing productivity priorities, nursing quality priorities

 

Authors

  1. Arnold, Lauren PhD, RN
  2. Drenkard, Karen PhD, RN, CNAA
  3. Ela, Sue MSN, RN
  4. Goedken, Jolene MS, RN
  5. Hamilton, Connie MBA, RN
  6. Harris, Carla MSN, RN
  7. Holecek, Nancy BSN, RN, CNA
  8. White, Maureen MBA, RN, CNAA

Abstract

The emergence of health systems as a dominant structure for organizing healthcare has stimulated the development of health system chief nursing executive (CNE) positions. These positions have large spans of control, requiring CNEs to balance a wide range of responsibilities, making them accountable for fiscal management, quality of care, compliance, and contributing to organizational growth. As such the CNE is required to use principles of distributive justice to guide priority setting and decision making. This review addresses important questions about CNE system integration strategies, strategic priorities, and organizational positioning as they attempt to fulfill their ethical responsibilities to patients and the nurses they serve.