This research was a quasi-experimental study designed to investigate decision making skills of registered nurse first line managers. The purpose of this study was to see if instruction in decision making techniques using a Vroom and Yetton (1973) framework could increase the appropriateness and, ultimately, the effectiveness of these styles. Two staff development programs were developed: one using an experiential approach to teaching, the other using a self-instructional approach. The main purpose of the study was to determine which of these two approaches was more effective in improving decision making skills.

Two instruments were used in the study. The first instrument was Taylor's (1975) Decision Sets. The purposes of this instrument were: (a) to assess decision style preferences of participants before instruction, (b) to determine if these decision styles were appropriate for specific problem situations, and (c) to determine if there were an improvement in the appropriateness of decision styles chosen after instruction. The second instrument used was a Management Decision Theory Test. The purposes of this instrument were: (a) to determine if participants had preexisting knowledge of the theory before instruction, and (b) to assess the degree to which participants learned the theory after instruction.

The major findings from this study were that: (a) first line nurse managers had a preferred decision style before instruction, (b) preferred decision styles could be effected by instruction, (c) appropriate decision making skills within the context of the Vroom and Yetton (1973) Decision Making Model could be taught, (d) the most effective method for teaching decision making skills using the Vroom and Yetton (1973) model was the experimental approach, and (e) overall knowledge of decision making theory and application of decision making skills based on theoretical principles was relatively low among first line nurse managers.

Based on the findings of this study, the Vroom and Yetton (1973) Managerial Decision Making Model and Taylor's (1975) Decision Sets provide an appropriate mechanism through which nursing managers can take a critical look at their decision making styles. Furthermore, the Vroom and Yetton (1973) model can be used as an approach to teaching decision making skills to nurses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.