Perceptions of Acute Care Nursing Team Members' Roles: Their Own and Each Other's.

Nursing team members' perceptions about their own and each other's roles affect how they understand their contributions to patient care and their work relationships and social status within healthcare organizations. There is a paucity of literature on how nursing team members perceive their roles and those of their colleagues.To examine registered nurses', licensed practical nurses', and health care aides' perceptions of their and each other's roles.Secondary analysis of qualitative data using qualitative description. The parent study used grounded theory to examine nursing care for hospitalized older adults.Conventional content analysis of interview transcripts and field notes from the original study.All nursing team members reported satisfaction from providing direct care. Registered nurses were uniquely responsible for leadership. Scope-of-practice changes contributed to role confusion and tension among team members.Nurse managers could facilitate clarification about nursing roles and support effective role deployment.