Factors linked to nurse manager success

Editor's Note

This study, led by the University of Central Florida, Orlando, examined individual and organizational factors associated with nurse manager success.

A large US sample of nurse managers was divided on the basis of nurse and patient outcomes.

The results show:

• A wider nurse manager span of control is linked to negative outcomes.
• The availability of support positions does not fully alleviate the consequences of wider spans of control.
• Those with fewer subordinates to manage can effectively cover multiple units.
• Experience is critical for success and cannot be fully replaced by leadership training programs.

Staffing and job design decisions have important downstream implications for nurse managers, the researchers say.