MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE: THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF FEMALE NURSE MANAGERS IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH IN SAUDI ARABIA PRE- AND POST-PROMULGATION OF VISION 2030: AN INTERPRETATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Despite significant progress under Vision 2030 to enhance women's status in Saudi Arabia, the rise of mid-level female nurse managers to senior positions has remained slow. While women dominated the nursing field, male nurses often ascended to top positions more quickly. This study addressed the gap in understanding why mid-level female nurses faced delays in reaching more senior roles in Saudi Arabia. My thesis explored the lived experiences of mid-level female nurse managers, focusing on the challenges they encountered and strategies they used within a male-dominated healthcare environment. It aimed to understand the underrepresentation of women in senior managerial positions and the impact of the Vision 2030 reforms. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), qualitative data were gathered through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with six mid-level female nurse managers in major hospitals in Hail City, Saudi Arabia. The data were translated and analysed, with each interview individually analysed, and cross-case comparisons made. A feminist lens was used to interpret the findings and provide deeper insights into women's lived experiences. The study revealed significant challenges for female nurse managers in Saudi Arabia’s male- dominated healthcare sector. Despite socio-political reforms under Vision 2030, cultural norms and societal expectations continue to impact their professional lives. These factors often lead to internalised oppressive views, perpetuating marginalisation, and reinforcing systemic barriers. This study enhances the understanding of the specific challenges faced by female nurse managers in Saudi Arabia. By delving into their lived experiences, it highlights invisible but impactful barriers to their progression, underscoring the need for targeted interventions to support women's advancement in managerial roles, beginning with women addressing these internalised views themselve