Sociotechnical professional perspectives for a nursing administration curriculum.
The curriculum as described was implemented four years ago. We have not yet been able to test and fully evaluate the model. What has been demonstrated is an ability by the students to articulate the philosophical principles of the sociotechnical/professional perspective in comprehensive examinations. These exams and students' papers also demonstrate the students' ability to apply the principles. The curriculum is essentially a philosophical overlay, thus a limitation of the curriculum is that the faculty must truly be committed to and believe in the administrative roles of facilitation, coordination, and integration. Because this view of administration is new, time is needed to orient faculty who have learned and taught from a more traditional framework. This new view is a strength from the student perspective. Many come to graduate school seeking new ways. A sociotechnical/professional perspective for nursing administration reflects the most current nursing and management literature and is considered to be very contemporary and future-oriented.