Nurse managers: perceptions of their role

Area of Science:

• Nursing Management
• Healthcare Administration
• Organizational Behavior

Background:

• The nurse manager role is critical in acute care settings.
• Understanding the complexities of this role is essential for effective healthcare delivery.
• Existing management models may not fully capture the unique aspects of nursing leadership.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively explore the multifaceted roles of nurse managers in an acute care teaching hospital.
• To identify similarities and differences between observed roles and established management theories.
• To uncover challenges faced by nurse managers, including role conflict and support needs.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative research approach was employed.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurse managers.
• Data analysis focused on identifying recurring themes and patterns in role descriptions.

Main Results:

• Nurse manager roles largely align with Mintzberg's management model.
• Unique professional responsibilities specific to nursing were identified.
• Significant themes included intra-role and inter-role conflicts and a pronounced need for managerial support.

Conclusions:

• The nurse manager role integrates traditional management functions with specialized nursing responsibilities.
• Addressing role conflicts and enhancing support systems are crucial for nurse manager well-being and retention.
• Further research is recommended to explore interventions for improving the nurse manager work environment.