Executive Competencies of Nurses in the Veterans Health Administration

Abstract

This study identifies competencies and accompanying skills, knowledge, and abilities (SKAs) required by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) nurse executives. Using the Delphi decision-making method, 144 VHA directors of nursing identified five top competencies necessary for nurse executives. An expert panel sorted competencies into the eight core domains of the VHA high-performance development model. Next, nurse executives rated SKAs by using a 7-point importance scale. Response rates were 34% and 48.2% for Delphi rounds 1 and 2, respectively. Round 1 generated 245 unique nurse executive competencies. In round 2, the highest rated SKAs involved ethical conduct, decision-making, abilities to continuously learn and lead, staffing, and conflict-resolution skills. Competency list outcomes are expected to be useful for executive self-assessment, professional development, and identification of continuing education needs. Specific SKAs can provide a means for development of job requirements and career performance criteria.

Developing a Competency Tool for Home Health Care Nurse Managers

“…There exists some consensus regarding the core competencies for the nurse manager role—such as planning and organization, building and leading teams, interpersonal effectiveness, and quality clinical oversight—though the exact terminologies might differ. 8,9,15,16 Jennings, Scalzi, Rodgers, and Keane 17 note that the literature often conflates management and leadership competencies which illustrates the somewhat imprecise nature of these concepts and can lead to ineffective training and educational for managers.…”

“…Nurse executives or nurse managers typically serve as the primary respondents to these surveys and unstructured interviews. 15 Although regarded as subject matter experts, it may be beneficial to include other data sources and use different methodologies to provide a more complete view of the nurse manager role.…”

Collaborative nursing leadership project in the People's Republic of China

“…These domains included: business management, executive leadership, professional development, global awareness and interpretability, communication, and personnel management. Sutto et al. (2008), in Delphi round 1 of 2, identified 245 unique executive competencies and in round 2, the highest rated competencies included ethical conduct, decision‐making, abilities to continuously learn and lead, staffing, and conflict resolution skills.…”

Build High-Performing Military Nurse Leaders Through Coaching, Sponsorship, and Engagement

“…High-performing and effective leaders are adaptive, agile, transformational, innovative, great communicators, strategic thinkers, visionary, evidenced-based decisionmakers, and authentic. 2,7,8 They must understand the complexity of the business enterprise of healthcare, such as finance, economics, market forces, and legal and regulatory frameworks, and be skilled at synergizing systems. 6,9 It is not sufficient for nursing leaders to drive quality healthcare only in the nursing lane.…”