Management development of the head nurse: the program and evaluation of the program

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Management
• Professional Development

Background:

• Continuing education (CE) aims to enhance nurses' practice, administration, education, and research for public health.
• Traditional CE evaluations focus on participant perception or immediate knowledge/attitude changes.
• The effectiveness of management development CE programs in practical application remains an area for investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess if nurses attending a management development CE program demonstrated increased cognitive knowledge.
• To determine if these nurses could implement management models and theories into their practice post-program.
• To evaluate the impact of CE on nurse managers' practical application of learned management concepts.

Main Methods:

• A management development CE program was delivered across ten Veterans Administration medical centers.
• Questionnaires were distributed to 191 nurse managers who attended the program.
• Data from 111 respondents were analyzed to correlate program content with practical implementation.

Main Results:

• A high correlation was observed between management theories presented in the CE program and their implementation in practice.
• Nurse managers attributed their ability to apply theory practically primarily to the continuing education program.
• The study utilized the Sheridan, Bronstein, & Walker (1984) model for program planning and the Stake (1973) countenance model for evaluation.

Conclusions:

• Management development continuing education programs can significantly enhance nurse managers' cognitive knowledge and practical skills.
• Effective implementation of management theories in nursing practice is strongly linked to targeted CE interventions.
• The study supports the value of structured CE programs in bridging the gap between management theory and nursing practice.