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 collected from employees and patients during a 3-month period; data analysis occurred concurrently. Using the constant comparative method, a grounded theory was developed to explain the initial process of implementation of the clinical nurse III (CNIII) role. The basic social psychological problem associated with implementation was role ambiguity. The basic social psychological process used to resolve this problem was "making the role of the CNIII". Making the role involves the following four strategies, which may occur simultaneously: communicating the vision, gaining new knowledge, accessing resources, and defining boundaries. Communicating the vision refers to efforts to articulate the role before and during the implementation process. Gaining new knowledge includes participating in educational workshops and acquiring new skills. Accessing resources refers to development of new relationships and acquisition of office space and equipment. Defining boundaries includes determining the scope of responsibilities and differentiating the role from other roles. This theory may be useful to researchers, educators, and administrators interested in role implementation.