Essential competencies required of nurse managers in times of COVID-19: A scoping review

To identify the essential competencies required of nurse managers in healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nurse managers play a vital role in healthcare services organization, requiring a diverse set of competencies. The increasing occurrence of epidemics in recent decades underscores the importance of understanding these competencies in pivotal junctures. The challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic present valuable opportunities to recognize the competencies of nurse managers and guide their responsiveness in addressing future health crises.

A scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guidelines was conducted. A comprehensive search was conducted across six databases (LILACS, BDENF, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science). Results were categorized according to the nurse manager competencies model by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and were analyzed using the competing values framework model.

Out of 2033 potentially relevant sources identified, 17 studies met inclusion criteria. A total of 52 competencies were identified and categorized into four thematic categories: (1) the ability to collaborate in times of crisis; (2) maintaining control during a crisis; (3) adapting to changes caused by the crisis; and (4) preserving competitiveness through the crisis.

The findings highlight communication, decision-making, training, adaptability to change, and leadership as essential competencies required of nurse managers to address crises, such as pandemics.

This body of knowledge can serve as a reference point to enhance the response of nurse managers in the face of future health crisis scenarios. Additionally, it can serve as a framework for healthcare organizations to develop or improve their crisis management training programs.