As interpreters, leaders operated between the domains of nursing to interpret nursing issues to the language used within the context. So, for example, leaders interpreted nursing at the interface between practice and academia by undertaking research which highlighted the impact that nursing had on health outcomes.
As translators, leaders translated nursing to the language and priorities of the context in which they were operating
and were seeking to position nursing for meaningful effect. For example, once nursing interventions had been evaluated
in relation to health outcomes, nursing was translated by academic leaders in order to influence the academic context. This academic translation was about positioning nursing so that it could compete within the research assessment exercise, and also be seen as credible within higher education, as well as having a distinct contribution to make to interdisciplinary research