A Study of Head Nurse''s Management Skills: the Comparison of Perceptions between Head Nurses and Staff Nurses

• Main Authors: Wei, Ling-Ling, 魏玲玲
• Other Authors: Lu, Mei-Shiow
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 1997
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/30516920327170612096

碩士 === 台北醫學大學 === 醫學研究所 === 85 === The purpose of this study is to explore management skills considered essential to the head nurse''s management. A comparison of head nurses'' and staff nurses'' perceptions toward head nurses'' management skills was also examined. Subjects were recruited from regional hospitals in Taipei. Inclusion criterion was head nurses with more than one year''s management experience. A self-developed questionnaire (Management Skills Scale; MSS) was used for data collection. Five hundred questionnaires were sent out with a returned rate of 87.4 % (108 head nurses and 329 staff nurses). Data were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson''s correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression. Major findings of this study were as followed: 1. The head nurses'' and staff nurses'' perceptions toward head nurses'' management skills were all above average (x=3.0-4.0). 2. The standard pereentile values for head nurses'' perception toward their own management skills were among 76.44-79.44. 3. The top ten management skills perceived by head nurses were (1) being familiar with clinical techniques, (2) competence in interdisciplinary coordination, (3) delegate appropriately, (4) fairness in performance appraisal, (5) maintenance of medical equipment, (6) management of accidents, (7) knowledgeable about nursing ethical principles, (8) maintenance of working environment safety, (9) setting up of nursing practice standards, and (10) ability in conflict resolution. Two management skills perceived by staff nurses differed from head nurses'' top-ten list were (6) skills of expression and (10) skills in getting along with superiors. 4. Head nurses'' marital status had a significant impact on their interpersonal skills. Head nurses'' interpersonal skills and leadership competency were significantly influenced by the wards they worked. Financial management skill was the only factor related whether or not head nurses having received training for management skills. Age was positively related to head nurses'' self-perception of leadership competency. 5. Staff nurses'' marital status would influence their perception of head nurses'' interpersonal skills, conceptual skills, and leadership competence. Nurses'' age and their nursing experience were also positively related to their perception of head nurses'' management skills. The characteristics of hospital wards where nurses'' worked had significant impact on their perceptions of head nurses'' technical competence, interpersonal relationship and conceptual skills. 6. There were nine items which were significant differences between head nurses and staff nurses perceptions of head nurses'' management skills: (1) familiar in clinical techniques,(2) application of nursing research findings, (3) competence in nursing research concepts, (4) application of patient classification systems, (5) competence of motivate morale, (6) utilization of cost-benefit results, (7) getting along with superiors, (8) fairness in performance appraisal, and (9) compete for members'' best interests.