The role of nursing unit managers in New South Wales--a Delphi survey

This study identified the competencies expected of first-line nursing management in New South Wales hospitals. The competencies were determined from the literature and submitted to a Delphi panel of 16 expert nursing administrators and academics whose task it was to delineate those competencies which first-line nursing managers (nursing unit managers) should possess. Considerable consensus existed as only two rounds were required, with little change in opinion occurring between the two rounds. Of the 168 competencies, 12 did not reach the baseline mean of 3.000 (maximum 4.000) and were excluded. The results from both rounds are presented.