Date of Award
5-2018
Culminating Project Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Higher Education Administration: Ed.D.
Department
Educational Administration and Higher Education
College
School of Education
First Advisor
Steven McCullar
Second Advisor
Michael Mills
Third Advisor
Mumbi Mwangi
Fourth Advisor
Sue Field
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Keywords and Subject Headings
Nursing Directors Turnover Job Satisfaction Feminist
Abstract
Turnover in academic leadership of nursing programs in our community colleges is a national problem. This qualitative study explored and documented the stories of six female practical nursing and associate degree nursing program directors and deans in the MN State college system, who voluntarily left their positions. This study looked to amplify their voices to help inform a solution to address the turnover problem. The feminist theoretical framework with the Job Characteristics Theory model were used to understand how job characteristics influenced job outcomes for female nursing directors and deans, and how their lived-in experiences effected work motivation, performance outcomes, and turnover. Results of this study indicated the critical role of relationships with supervisors and faculty, the role of gender, the heavy workload, and the lack of authority had on the experiences of nursing directors and deans. Other subparts that emerged included the impact of faculty shortages, participants’ experiences in being prepared for the nursing director or dean role, contracts and compensation, and the desire by all participants to improve the position to minimize turnover. Recommendations to address this problem were solicited from the participants as holders of the truth, having lived through the experience, and therefore in the best position to provide insights. Recommendations included professional development and mentorship opportunities, standardized job description and employment contract, centralizing work, administrative support personnel, supporting self-care and recognition of the work by nursing directors and deans, and creating opportunities for senior leadership outreach.
Recommended Citation
Bormann, Misun, "Understanding the Lived Experiences of Former MN State Community College Nursing Directors and Deans: Working Together to Identify the Challenges to Inform Solutions" (2018). Culminating Projects in Higher Education Administration. 24.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/hied_etds/24
