Nurse Manager Competencies
Several studies have profiled the first-line nurse manager, but have mainly focused on the characteristics and responsibilities of these individuals. There is a need to further delineate and identify specific behavioral competencies that are considered important and increase effectiveness in the nurse manager role employed in hospitals. Nurse Managers are the vital link between hospital administration and the staff that delivers care to the client. First-line managers are responsible for delivering care that is therapeutically effective and safe as well as cost-effective.
Chase conducted a 1994 descriptive study which delineated and identified specific behavioral competencies considered important for hospital-based nurse manager effectiveness. A descriptive study of nurse manager competencies was conducted with a sample of 211 nurse manager subjects. Katz’s (1995) framework of technical, human, and conceptual skills was used to categorize the competency statements. Leadership and financial management were deemed important competencies and were included in the original questionnaire. The results of the study demonstrated that human and leadership competencies were most important to the nurse manager role. The lowest ranked items consisted primarily of technical and conceptual competencies.
The 2010 descriptive study will repeat the self-rating of knowledge and behavioral competencies using the Nurse Manager Competency Instrument. The anticipated timeline for data collection is April, 2010 with analysis and completion of the study in the Fall, 2010. This study will be a step in carrying out the long-term research objective of this investigator with the goal to explore linkages between competencies and important staff and patient outcomes.
The implications of studying nurse manager competencies includes the following: impact on patient care outcomes, impact on nursing leadership curriculum and education, impact on hiring practices, and impact on performance appraisals. This research will refine and advance knowledge about the nurse manager role building on the previous work of the investigator.
The following questions will be addressed in this study: 1) Examine the psychometric properties of the Chase Nurse Manager Competency Instrument; 2) Describe self rated nurse manager skills and behaviors and their association with hospital size, Magnet status, nurse education preparation, age, tenure, manager scope, or management experience; 3) Compare and contrast the findings from the previous 1994 Nurse Manager Competency study to findings from replicating 2010.
Chase conducted a 1994 descriptive study which delineated and identified specific behavioral competencies considered important for hospital-based nurse manager effectiveness. A descriptive study of nurse manager competencies was conducted with a sample of 211 nurse manager subjects. Katz’s (1995) framework of technical, human, and conceptual skills was used to categorize the competency statements. Leadership and financial management were deemed important competencies and were included in the original questionnaire. The results of the study demonstrated that human and leadership competencies were most important to the nurse manager role. The lowest ranked items consisted primarily of technical and conceptual competencies.
The 2010 descriptive study will repeat the self-rating of knowledge and behavioral competencies using the Nurse Manager Competency Instrument. The anticipated timeline for data collection is April, 2010 with analysis and completion of the study in the Fall, 2010. This study will be a step in carrying out the long-term research objective of this investigator with the goal to explore linkages between competencies and important staff and patient outcomes.
The implications of studying nurse manager competencies includes the following: impact on patient care outcomes, impact on nursing leadership curriculum and education, impact on hiring practices, and impact on performance appraisals. This research will refine and advance knowledge about the nurse manager role building on the previous work of the investigator.
The following questions will be addressed in this study: 1) Examine the psychometric properties of the Chase Nurse Manager Competency Instrument; 2) Describe self rated nurse manager skills and behaviors and their association with hospital size, Magnet status, nurse education preparation, age, tenure, manager scope, or management experience; 3) Compare and contrast the findings from the previous 1994 Nurse Manager Competency study to findings from replicating 2010.
| consent_letter_050310.pdf |
