THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF NURSES LIVES - IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

Objective: This study extends knowledge of how nurses' careers interac t with their personal lives and professional development. Background: Extant research suggests that nurses' career patterns are unstable or unplanned. However, these images may be a reflection of the models tha t are applied. Such models are overwhelmingly normative and do not ref lect the actual life experience of nurses. Methods: A series of interv iews explored how nurses make changes in their lives. Questions focuse d on the stimulus for change and the resources used, problems associat ed with changes, and the effects of changes on the nurses themselves a nd others. Results: The results show that nurses' careers, professiona l development, and personal lives are interconnected. Conclusions: The concept of interconnectedness reflects the confluence of events or pe ople and their contemplation and integration by the nurses into their lives and relationships. The results contradict normative admonitions about career planning and have implications for the development of the ories on nursing careers and for nurse managers.