II. Methodology This study was exploratory in nature.

Both primary and secondary data was collected to obtain qualitative as well as quantitative information. III. Study Area The study was carried out in the states of Tamil Nadu. The rationale for choosing this state was to identify the nursing management capacity of the state with the relatively better MCH indicators. The relevant information was collected, from the officials of the following organizations in the state of Tamil Nadu: 1. State Health Directorate 2. Health Care Services, especially Hospitals 3. Educational and Training Institutions (especially the Nursing Schools and Nursing College) 4. The State nursing council 5. Professional Bodies such as TNAI. IV. Study Population Interviews were conducted with the following and information collected: 1. Senior Administrators from the State Health Directorates 2. Nursing officials at the Directorate 3. Health Secretary , Health and Family Welfare 4. Mission Director, NRHM 5. All the concerned Directors 6. Matrons of Civil Hospitals 7. Head of State Nursing Council 8. Principals and other faculty members of the Nursing Schools and colleges