NURSE DIRECTORS: RESPONSIBILITIES, CHALLENGES, AND EVOLUTION OF THE ROLE – AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev8n5-093Keywords:
Nursing, Health Governance, Hospital Directors, Health Management, AdministrationAbstract
The role of nurse directors has evolved from a predominantly operational function to a strategic and multifaceted position, reflecting the increasing demands of health systems and positioning these professionals as central agents in the integration of quality of care, sustainability, and organizational development. Objective: To understand the nature of the work of nurse directors, identifying responsibilities, functions, challenges, and trends in the evolution of the role. Methods: An integrative review was conducted following the guidelines of Whittemore & Knafl (2005) in the Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and SciELO databases, including studies published between 1995 and 2025. The analysis followed the steps of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Results: The research resulted in the inclusion of 26 articles, organized into seven thematic categories that emerged from the analysis: Strategy and governance; Regulation and policy; Organizational challenges and turnover; Finance and sustainability; Innovation and technology; Succession and executive development; and Transformational leadership and professional identity. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that nurse directors act as organizational strategists and political mediators, responsible for aligning quality, costs, outcomes, technological innovation, and evidence-based practices, with a view to strengthening nursing leadership within the organizational context.
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