Nurse Managers’ Competencies in Applying Strategies for Managing Nursing Work-related Issues: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Effectively addressing nursing work-related issues, such as stress, excessive workloads, violence, and poor performance, requires competent nurse managers to enhance nursing performance and achieve optimal efficiency within the healthcare system. The aim of this study was to assess nurse managers’ competencies in applying strategies for managing nursing work-related issues in Riyadh Health Cluster One. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted using the Nurse Manager Competency Assessment, a validated 79-item self-assessment tool that evaluates nine domains. A total of 250 nurse managers working in Riyadh Health Cluster One were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and analysis of variance to examine demographic differences using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 26. Results: The nurse managers demonstrate high competency levels across all domains based on the following mean scores in the Nurse Manager Competency Assessment: overall competency (2.73); managing demotivation and workplace violence (2.77); managing poor performance (2.74); managing turnover (2.73); disempowerment among staff (2.72); managing stress, workload, and conflict among subordinates (2.71); and managing absenteeism (2.69). Significant differences were found between the competency assessment score and educational qualification and attendance at human resource management workshops (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that the nurse managers in Riyadh Health Cluster One demonstrated high levels of competency in managing work-related issues, highlighting the need for continued investment in nurse managers’ training and development programs to enhance their competencies in applying effective strategies for managing nursing work-related issues.