The profession of nursing takes high-level training. A registered nurse or licensed vocational nurse has basic training in assessing a patient that is necessary in a variety of situations. Nurses who excel in the profession of nursing often progress to nursing management. Nurse managers play an integral role in maintaining a standard for the nursing profession.
Identification
Nursing management may vary from one specialty to the next. Nursing home nurses and surgery nurses will have different types of issues within their scope of nursing. Overall, management includes staffing and mentoring nurses who provide direct patient care. Nurse managers must also ensure that resources are available to keep nurses up to date on the latest techniques in optimal patient care.
Features
The focal point of a sound nursing management program is an orientation and training program that outlines all duties that will be required of the nurse. It is unreasonable to expect staff of any kind to follow protocols that are not well documented and explained at the onset of employment. Future attempts to reprimand or mentor a nurse are hindered when the nurse was not completely educated on expectations upon hire. Although there are some cases where licensed vocational nurses
are placed in management roles, managers are usually registered nurses. The RN scope of care is much broader.
Warning
Nursing management is not a theory that is universally agreed upon in the medical field. The perception of its validity varies within and outside of the nursing profession. It is prudent to question the medical provider's understanding of nursing management before assuming that everyone is on the same page about what it entails. Some feel that nursing management should focus on quality controls while others feel it should only encompass day to day management.
Benefits
Proper nursing management should empower the nurse performing direct patient care. The nurse should feel that he or she has all the tools required to perform tasks. Nursing management should also provide a standard go to point for any nurse who has questions about execute any part of patient care. When nursing management is performed correctly, the organization is well aware of personnel strengths and weaknesses and has a plan in pace to improve deficiencies.
Expert Insight
Vince Saliba is a registered nurse and nurse educator. His research has led to detail findings about nursing management throughout the medical field. According to Saliba, "The financial commitments towards clinical supervision are still unclear and in an environment of continuous competition, organizations seem to be very cautious to take a step into the 'unknown'."
Tags: nursing management, patient care, management should, direct patient, direct patient care