Guide to the Brenda Nevidjon Interview, 2005
Abstract:
Brenda Nevidjon is a clinical professor in Duke University's School of Nursing and former chief operating officer of Duke University Hospital. Contains audiotapes and transcript of an oral history interview with Brenda Nevidjon. Major subjects in this interview include Nevidjon's experiences at Duke University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as changes in the nursing profession. This interview was conducted on 13 July 2005 by Jessica Roseberry.
- Contact Information:
- Duke University Medical Center
Archives and Memorabilia
DUMC 3702
Durham, North Carolina
27710 USA
Phone: (919) 383-2653
Fax: (919) 383-1649
Email: dumc.archives@mc.duke.edu - Processing and Encoding Sponsor
- The transcription of this interview was made possible by a 2005-2006 grant from the Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation.
Descriptive Summary
- Extent
-
- 1 record storage box,
- 2 items,
- .25 linear feet
- Title
- Brenda Nevidjon Interview, 2005
- Creator
- Nevidjon, Brenda
- Repository
- Duke University Medical Center Archives
Administrative Information
- Copyright Notice
- Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
- Preferred Citation
- [Identification of item], Brenda Nevidjon Interview, Duke University Medical Center Archives.
- Processing Information
- Processed by Jessica Roseberry, June 2006
- Encoded by Jessica Roseberry, June 2006
Biographical Note
Brenda Nevidjon grew up in Connecticut and then attended Duke University School of Nursing, where she attained her bachelor's degree in 1972. From 1972 to 1975, she worked as a nurse at Duke University Medical Center. In 1975, she spent a year as a staff nurse in Basel, Switzerland. She received her master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a specialty in psychiatric nursing in 1978 while working as a staff nurse on the pulmonary unit at Duke University Medical Center. From 1978 to 1981, she was the head nurse on the cancer research unit at Duke. From 1981 to 1984, she worked in various positions in the Cancer Control Agency in Vancouver, British Columbia; and from 1985 to 1991 she worked in various oncology nurse positions in Seattle, Wash., at Providence Seattle Medical Center (now Swedish/Cherry Hill), the University of Washington, and Virginia Mason Medical Center.
In 1991, Nevidjon returned to Duke and served in several administrative roles, including senior associate chief operating officer of Patient Care Services from 1994 to 1996. In 1996, she became the first nurse to be named the chief operating officer of Duke University Hospital, a position which she held until 2000. Currently she teaches in the Duke School of Nursing.
Nevidjon is the author or editor of numerous articles, chapters, and books on aspects of nursing. From 1989 to 1999, she served as editor of the Oncology Nursing Society's publication, the ONS News.
Collection Overview
Contains audiotapes and transcript of an oral history interview with Brenda Nevidjon, clinical professor at Duke University Medical Center's School of Nursing and former chief operating officer of Duke Hospital.
Online Catalog Headings
- Duke University. Hospital. Nursing Services.
- Duke University--Administration.
- Duke University. School of Nursing.
- Duke University. Medical Center.
- Education, Nursing.
- Nevidjon, Brenda
- Oral histories.
- Interviews.
- Transcripts.
Related Material
Collection Series
Detailed Description of the Collection
Nevidjon discusses her background; desire to become a nurse; career choices for women in the seventies; choosing to be a nurse instead of a doctor; diploma programs versus college-based programs; deciding on Duke School of Nursing; curriculum at Duke; schedule of Duke classes; curriculum changes in her second year; visionary nature of school of nursing faculty at the time; specific women in the faculty at the time; expectation of faculty that students would attain an advanced degree; male students in graduate program as opposed to undergraduate; males on the nursing service; Wilma Minniear; nursing service's view of school of nursing graduates; working as a ward clerk the summer of sophomore year and as a professional nursing assistant (PNA) the summer of junior year; advantages of getting to know the staff in these positions and then come on staff after graduation; relationship with physicians; tight-knit nature of unit; activism of her class; black studies class; master's program at University of North Carolina; psychiatric nursing; move to Switzerland; working as oncology nurse in Switzerland; advantages of oncology nursing; becoming an administrator; Morris Building; nature of nurse management role upon her return to Duke; difference in Duke and West Coast healthcare; dysfunctional nature of nursing upon her return; changes due to external regulatory environment; chief operating officer role; Mike Israel; Ralph Snyderman; Duke Medical Center becoming a health system; political flak due to acquisition of Durham Regional Hospital; difficulty of integrating two hospitals; being female in upper management at Duke Medical Center; breaking barriers as nurse in advanced leadership position; possibility of nurses unionizing; assessment of current status of nursing school; variety of opportunities within nursing; thoughts about Duke.