Factors contributing to managerial competence of first‐line nurse managers: A systematic review

• Published in: International journal of nursing practice Vol. 24; no. 1
• Main Authors: Gunawan, Joko, Aungsuroch, Yupin, Fisher, Mary L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.02.2018
• Subjects: Academic achievement; Causal models; Competence; Content analysis; Empowerment; Evidence-based nursing; Health care; Health care delivery; Human resources management; Humans; Job characteristics; Leadership; Managerial skills; Managers; Mentoring; Nurse Administrators; nurse manager; Nurse managers; Nursing; Nursing administration; Organizational factors; Personality; Personality traits; Professional Competence; Qualitative Research; Quality assessment; Quantitative analysis; Recruitment; Succession planning; Systematic review; systematic review; competence; nurse manager
• ISSN: 1322-7114; 1440-172X
• DOI: 10.1111/ijn.12611

Aims To determine the factors contributing to managerial competence of first‐line nurse managers. Background Understanding factors affecting managerial competence of nurse managers remains important to increase the performance of organizations; however, there is sparse research examining factors that influence managerial competence of first‐line nurse managers. Design Systematic review. Data sources The search strategy was conducted from April to July 2017 that included 6 electronic databases: Science Direct, PROQUEST Dissertations and Theses, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Google Scholar for the years 2000 to 2017 with full text in English. Quantitative and qualitative research papers that examined relationships among managerial competence and antecedent factors were included. Review methods Quality assessment, data extractions, and analysis were completed on all included studies. Content analysis was used to categorize factors into themes. Results Eighteen influencing factors were examined and categorized into 3 themes—organizational factors, characteristics and personality traits of individual managers, and role factors. Conclusion Findings suggest that managerial competence of first‐line nurse managers is multifactorial. Further research is needed to develop strategies to develop managerial competence of first‐line nurse managers. SUMMARY STATEMENT What is already known about the topic? First line nurse manager roles have become increasingly complex due to the shifting environment of health care delivery, largely due to the evolution of care that has occurred at the nursing unit level. A process of decentralization has evolved which changes these roles from a primarily clinical to a managerial focus. Competent first‐line nurse managers are critical in providing vital leadership for healthy work environments, positive patient outcomes, and achievement of organizational goals. Antecedent factors of managerial competence of first‐line nurse managers have been identified but remain inconclusive. What does this paper add? Eighteen influencing factors of managerial competence were grouped into 3 main themes: (1) organizational factors, (2) characteristics and personality traits of individual managers, and (3) role factors. Organizational factors include human resource management, succession planning, coaching, mentoring, training and development, senior leadership practices, empowerment programs, interpersonal relationships, competence evaluation, and span of control. Personality traits and characteristics of individual managers' factors include educational level, age, gender, and managerial experience. Role factors include role preparation, work complexity, and job demands. The implications of this paper: Nurse executives should focus more on organizational factors that allow first‐line nurse managers to be competent, such as developing an effective resource system, recruitment and retention program, providing training, coaching, mentoring and an empowerment program, evaluating competence, and motivating them by developing a rewards and benefits program. Top executives might consider the personality and characteristics of nurse managers to develop their competence. Further research is needed to examine the interrelated factors and to develop a causal model of managerial competence of first‐line nurse managers.