Developing Head Nurses' Managerial Competencies: An Intervention Study

Abstract

Competency is considered as a group of broad abilities and practical skills that might be changed when the environment changes. Nursing competency is defined as personal skills developed through professional nurse training courses, and is considered to be an outcome of these courses (Lois, 2012; Donaher, 2014). This study was conducted to develop head nurses' managerial competencies. through assessing head nurses' knowledge related to managerial competencies, assessing head nurses' managerial competencies, designing and implementing a training intervention for head nurses based on assessment, and determining the effect of training intervention on head nurses' knowledge and managerial competencies. Quasi experimental design was used to carry out this study. This study was conducted at El-Demardash University hospital. The study subjects consisted of 42 head nurses. Data pertaining to this study were collected by using four tools, namely, Nurse Manager Competency inventory (NMCI),a self administered questionnaire sheet to assess head nurses managerial competencies as perceived by head nurses, an observation check list to 164 assess head nurses' performance related to managerial competencies, auditing sheetto assess head nurses' managerial competencies. The final tool was pre and post test that wasto assess the knowledge of head nurses regarding managerial competencies. The main findings of the study revealed the following - Head nurses' managerial competencies, as perceived by them, were at low levels in pre-intervention and improved at post and follow-up phases to moderate levels. - Head nurses' total knowledge related to managerial competencies was at unsatisfactory level in preintervention and improved at post and follow- up phases to satisfactory levels. - Head nurses' total performance regarding managerial competencies was at inadequate levels in preintervention and improved at post and follow- up phases to adequate levels. - Head nurses' managerial competencies, as documented in nursing unit, was at inadequate levels in preintervention and improved at post and follow- up phases to adequate levels. 165 - Statistically significant improvement in head nurses' knowledge, and managerial competencies was noticed throughout the study intervention. - Moderate positive correlations between head nurses' knowledge, performance, and Audit Conclusion Head nurses' managerial competencies were statistically significant improved after implementing the training intervention, and were still improving in the follow-up phase. Recommendation: 1. Use the current study program for retreatment. 2. Constrictive evaluation should be initiated to assess the sustainability of positive effect of the training program 3. Nurses promotion system should be based on competency level not seniority