| The purpose of this study was to review the evolution and current status of the Navy Nurse Corps, through an analysis of its organizational culture and leadership, using a grounded theory research methodology. This study delved into the values, norms, and practices of the Navy Nurse Corps through a historical review of the development of the Navy Nurse Corps from its initial inception. A multi-frame approach to culture was used to look at the systemic structure and functioning of the medical system, the cognitive constructs of the nurses, and the symbolic framework of rituals, meanings and work processes throughout the Navy Nurse Corps.; As background data, a review of the theoretical, empirical and historically relevant literature on both grounded theory and organizational culture is presented. The development and evolving culture of the Navy Nurse Corps is discussed and the main themes that emerged from interviews with Nursing Leadership are presented with a critical evaluation of their application.; Thirty nurses were interviewed for approximately one hour. They ranged from Captain to Lieutenant and were stationed on both the East and West coasts. The main findings in this study included differing values systems, leading to an increased number of subgroups; a need for formalized leadership education among the senior nurses; an increased hierarchy within the organization as a whole; and a need for greater focus on the operational mission. Another finding was that most changes within the Nurse Corps were changes in actions, not thoughts or behaviors.; The results from this study can be used to maintain and develop trained leaders, as well as, recruit new leaders, with the required flexibility, creativity and innovative skills necessary to meet the organizational goals for today's Navy Nurse Corps. |
