Public health nurse managers' perception of Total Quality Management initiatives

The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore public health nurse managers' perception of Total Quality Management (TQM) Initiatives in the practice setting. Data sources included interviews with six public health nurse managers. A conceptual model was developed and subsequently analyzed in relationship to Watson's (1988) Human Theory of Caring and Total Quality Management Theory. It was discovered that public health nurse managers described favorable experiences working with TQM implementation and the team process. Although the study's findings did not support a direct relationship between Watson's Theory and congruence with public health nursing practice and TQM initiatives there is an implied relationship to the universal nursing theories of caring with a strong emphasis on advocacy in guiding public health nursing practice. Recommendations for nursing administration, practice, education and research are presented.