Nurse managers’ competencies: A scoping review

Abstract

Aim To describe and synthesize scientific literature on nurse managers’ competencies. Background The key strategy for the success of health organisations currently resides in the capacity of the nurse manager to develop advanced competencies in management. However, there is a lack of systematic reviews that synthesize knowledge about nurse managers’ competencies. Evaluation A scoping review was conducted using electronic databases including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Key issues After the first analysis, 392 competencies were observed from 76 studies. Finally, 53 competencies were grouped according to their characteristics. The two most‐cited competencies were communication and finance. Conclusions Knowing the competencies required by nurse managers can help organisations create strategies to develop competent managers. In addition, from the results we can infer what might be the core competencies, since 22 main competencies from the total number were identified. Implications for Nursing Management The competencies identified constitute the body of knowledge necessary for nurse managers. In addition, it is possible to generate a pathway for learning and professional development for nurses before they work at the microlevel of management. The starting point for this pathway could be the 22 core competencies.

Perceived importance of competencies by nurse managers at all levels: A cross‐sectional study

“…Effective communication was reported to be the most important competency for first‐line nurse managers in the study by Chase (2010) and for both service chiefs and nurse executives in the study by Anderson (2016). The findings also supported the study of González‐García et al (2021) which reported communication as the highest‐cited competence. In addition, several studies have reported that the ability to communicate effectively is an essential skill for nurse managers (González‐Garcia et al, 2020; Ibrahim & Ahamat, 2019; Liou et al, 2021; Yaghobian et al, 2020).…”

“…Using four rounds of the Delphi method, González‐Garcia et al (2020) identified eight core competencies from an initial list of 51 for the functional levels of nurse managers (executive, logistic and operational management): decision making, relationship management, communication skills, listening, leadership, conflict management, ethical principles, collaboration and team management skills. Furthermore, González‐García et al (2021) conducted a scoping review of 76 studies and synthesized 53 competencies finally. They suggested 22 most‐cited competencies as core competencies required for nurse managers at functional levels, in which communication and finance were the two most‐cited.…”

A Study on Nurse Manager Competency Model of Tertiary General Hospitals in China

“…Finally, personal traits reflect the deep characteristics unique to individuals, which are indispensable in the nurse manager competency model since nurse managers lead by example and train their staff to achieve qualified nursing service standards [ 37 ].…”

“…There are similarities and differences between nurse manager competency models in relevant articles published between 2010 and 2020 and the nurse manager competency model of tertiary general hospitals in China [ 37 ]. Compared to these models, the dimensions of the nurse manager competency model of tertiary general hospitals in China are similar, but the details differ (four dimensions and 22 factors).…”

“…Good adaptability is an essential quality for nurse managers to deal with all kinds of emergency situations. Nurse managers with strong self-evaluation abilities can clearly recognize their strengths and weaknesses, providing a basis for the improvement of their work [ 37 ].…”