Strategic management and nurses: building foundations

Effective strategic management is the means by which organizations achieve their desired levels of performance. There is a need to explore and describe the relationship between the profession of nursing and strategic management, with particular reference to nurses' participation in the field of strategy development and implementation. This paper aims to 'set the scene' in relation to such an exploration. The concept of strategic management is discussed and some possible definitions are explored. The need for nurses to be involved in strategic management is then considered, drawing on literature from nursing and general management sources. The overall aim of the paper is to provide a basis for further discussion and to generate ideas for research in the area.