Nursing Education Leaders Decision-Making During a Pandemic Crisis

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Public Health Emergencies
• Leadership Studies

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for academic nursing leaders.
• Existing emergency response plans were often inadequate for nursing education programs.
• A gap existed in understanding the specific decision-making needs of nursing leadership during crises.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the decision-making processes and responses of nursing education leaders during the global pandemic.
• To identify key themes related to leadership, preparedness, and communication.
• To provide actionable recommendations for future emergency preparedness in nursing education.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive survey study design was employed.
• Data were collected from academic nursing leaders regarding their pandemic experiences.
• The study focused on identifying common themes and challenges.

Main Results:

• Key themes identified include preparedness, emergency response, uncertainty, leadership and policy, and communication.
• Many institutions lacked specific emergency plans tailored to nursing education.
• Nursing leaders experienced significant uncertainty and evolving policy landscapes.

Conclusions:

• Academic nursing programs require robust, adaptable emergency response plans.
• Enhanced leadership strategies and clear communication protocols are crucial for navigating future crises.
• The findings offer valuable insights for nursing program administrators to improve future emergency readiness.