• To understand the role of executive nurse directors in delivering the nursing agenda
• To enhance your knowledge of the challenges and opportunities experienced by executive nurse directors in undertaking their roles
• To recognise the importance of further developing the evidence base to support the executive nurse director role
The executive nurse director role is complex and there is significant variation in the expectations and responsibilities placed on it. The main function of the role is to deliver the nursing agenda and ensure that safety and quality remain the focus of the executive board. However, it is unclear what evidence exists regarding the challenges and opportunities experienced by executive nurse directors. This scoping review, undertaken as part of the Stronger Study, explores the literature published from 2009 onwards on the challenges and opportunities affecting executive nurse directors’ ability to deliver the nursing agenda in the UK. Findings from the review suggest that the importance attached to the executive nurse director role is not matched by the amount of research available. Strengthening the executive nurse director role requires a stronger evidence base and an awareness of the benefits of the role.
Nursing Management. 27, 6, 21-27. doi: 10.7748/nm.2020.e1948
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondencekellydm@cf.ac.uk Pam.smith@ed.ac.uk
Conflict of interestNone declared
Horseman Z, Hamilton S, Noble H et al (2020) Identifying the challenges and opportunities of the executive nurse director role in the UK: a scoping review. Nursing Management. doi: 10.7748/nm.2020.e1948
Published online: 15 October 2020
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