The department chair position in academic nursing.

Abstract

There is a dearth of information on the role of the department chairperson in the nursing literature. As defined in this article, a chairperson is the middle manager and interface between the dean and the faculty. Chairperson refers to the leader of an adult health, maternal/parent child, community, or mental health department who reports to the dean of the School of Nursing. Using transitional theories as the undergirding framework, this article describes the transition from faculty to a chairperson position and the roles and responsibilities of the position. The chairperson must facilitate positive relationships, increase faculty productivity, and empower faculty. This constitutes the foundation for chairperson to facilitate greater faculty development, teaching excellence, and relationships. Implications for ways that nursing leaders may improve this position through the evaluative process are explored.