Determining Competency for Nurse Managers in Community Hospitals in Thailand: The Perspective of Nurse Managers and Directors of Nursing Services

Abstract

Introduction:  Competent nurse managers have been associated with achieving safe and effective outcomes.  Nursing competencies differ within the context of organization depending on size of the hospital and the facilities.  Also nurse manager competencies should be different that focused on viewpoints of nurse managers in community hospitals. The aim of this study was to investigate the viewpoints of nurse managers and directors of nursing services in community hospitals regarding the essential competencies of head nurses.

Methods:  A qualitative descriptive design was used to investigate the perspective of nurse managers and directors of nursing services about essential competencies of nurse managers in community hospitals.  A total of ten participants (four directors of nursing services and six nurse managers) were interviewed.

Findings:  Nurse managers and directors of nursing services identified leadership, management, communication, professional ethics, and policy and healthcare environment as the essential competencies for their positions in community hospitals.

Conclusions:  These findings can be used by executives of community hospitals and nursing institute to plan for competency development for nurse managers. It should be included in nurse administration program.

Key words: Competency, Nurse manager, Community Hospital