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Aim This paper critically reviews the literature on international collaboration and analyses the collaborative process involved in producing a nursing workforce policy analysis. Background Collaboration is increasingly promoted as a means of solving shared problems and achieving common goals; however, collaboration creates its own opportunities and challenges. Evidence about the collaboration process, its outcomes and critical success factors is lacking. Methods A literature review and content analysis of data collected from six participants (from five European countries) members of the European Academy of Nursing Science Scholar Collaborative Workforce Workgroup, using a SWOT ( Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis template. Results Two major factors affecting scholarly collaboration were identified: Facilitators, which incorporated personal attributes and enabling contexts/mechanisms, including individual commitment, responsibility and teamwork, facilitative supportive structures and processes. The second, Barriers, incorporated unmet needs for funding; time; communication and impeding contexts/mechanisms, including workload and insufficient support/mentorship. Conclusions The literature review identified a low level of evidence on collaboration processes, outcomes, opportunities and challenges. The SWOT analysis identified critical success factors, planning strategies and resources of effective international collaboration. Implications for Nursing Management Collaboration is an important concept for management. Evidence-based knowledge of the critical success factors facilitating and impeding collaboration could help managers make collaboration more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To describe the time allocation and temporal focus in nursing management. Background There is limited information about the time allocation and temporal focus of nursing management activities. The role of nurse administrators is changing, resulting in challenges related to time management. Methods Published literature in 2005-2014 related to the time allocation or temporal focus of nurse administrators' management activities was retrieved from five databases, and an integrative review was conducted. Data extraction, quality assessment and quantitative content analysis were performed for eight reviewed articles. Results Daily reactive management activities and administrative routines were dominant in the nurse administrators' work, and strategic, proactive activities were scarce. Their daily work was fragmented by a variety of activities and numerous interruptions. Conclusion Little information exists about time allocation or temporal focus in nurse administrators' management activities. Further research on this topic is needed. The evidence was fairly modest, although the studies' results were generally similar. Implications for nursing management These results can be used to clarify the job descriptions of nurse administrators and to plan and focus their education and training. Organisations need to use evidence to standardise the job descriptions of different levels of nurse managers and directors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]