Implementation of the care coordinator role: A grounded theory approach

The purpose of this study was to explore the process of implementing a new care coordinator role on a medical-surgical unit. Qualitative data were col lected from employees and patients during a 3-month period; data analysis o ccurred concurrently. Using the constant comparative method, a grounded the ory was developed to explain the initial process of implementation of the c linical nurse III (CNIII) role. The basic social psychological problem asso ciated with implementation was role ambiguity. The basic social psychologic al process used to resolve this problem was "making the role of the CNIII." Making the role involves the following four strategies, which may occur si multaneously: communicating the vision, gaining new knowledge, accessing re sources, and defining boundaries. Communicating the vision refers to effort s to articulate the role before and during the implementation process. Gain ing new knowledge includes participating in educational workshops and acqui ring new skills. Accessing resources refers to development of new relations hips and acquisition of office space and equipment. Defining boundaries inc ludes determining the scope of responsibilities and differentiating the rol e from other roles. This theory may be useful to researchers, educators, an d administrators interested in role implementation.