Limiting Terms of Office for Directors as a Policy Change in the Israeli Nursing System

Background: This study examines the phenomenon of arrangements limiting terms of office for directors of nursing (DONs) as a policy change in the Israeli public healthcare system since nursing is a major component of the healthcare system's personnel, and DONs have a crucial influence on achieving the organization's goals in a changing and developing environment with limited resources. Aim of Article: To understand how senior role-holders in the Israeli public healthcare system view arrangements limiting terms of office for directors of nursing as a policy change in the Israeli nursing system. Methods: Qualitative design comprising face-to-face interviews with sixteen purposefully sampled senior managers at three medical centers in central Israel. Data were analyzed thematically. Findings: Five themes emerged: ambivalence concerning the need for arrangements limiting terms of office, arrangements limiting terms of office as an organizational change, arrangements limiting terms of office as a method of career management, arrangements limiting terms of office – where they are headed, and length of the term of office. Conclusions: This study shows that the answer to the question whether to perpetuate the past or shape the future is not unequivocal; it is evident from ambivalent attitudes towards the option of instituting arrangements limiting terms of office.