Midwifery Manager
Midwifery Unit Manager
Nurse Attorney
Nursing
Clinical
Director/
Director of Nursing
Related Jobs
or Working with these Jobs
Nurse managers oversee nursing care on a ward or unit in public or
private hospitals, aged or palliative care homes, or other healthcare
facilities. They supervise nursing staff to ensure nurses
provide safe
and effective nursing care to patients. They also oversee the continuous
professional training and development of nurses to meet clinical
standards.
Nurse managers are responsible for the smooth running of their ward,
making sure that the ward is adequately staffed and well stocked with
medical supplies, including medications and equipment.
Nurse Managers manage health service units and sub-units of hospitals, aged
care and community health care facilities, supervise nursing staff and
financial resources to enable the provision of safe, cost effective nursing
care within specified fields or for particular units, and monitor quality,
clinical standards and professional development of nurses.
ANZSCO ID & description:
2543: Manages a health service unit or
sub-unit of a hospital, aged care or community health care facility,
supervises nursing staff and financial resources to enable the provision
of safe, cost effective nursing care within a specified field or for a
particular unit, and monitors quality, clinical standards and
professional development of nurses. Registration or licensing is
required.
Alternative names: Charge Nurse, Nurse Supervisor,
Nurse Unit Manager
Knowledge, skills and attributes
A nurse manager needs:
- advanced knowledge and experience in nursing
- to assume responsibility and provide leadership
- to be able to solve problems and make decisions
- discretion and respect for patient confidentiality
- the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- excellent communication skills to liaise with other professionals
and provide clear information to patients.
(Source:
Your
Career)
Duties and Tasks
-
developing, implementing and monitoring policies and objectives of
nursing care as they apply to units, staff and community groups
-
coordinating the allocation of human and material resources for a health
service unit such as recruitment of staff, human resource management,
preparation of budgets and fiscal management
-
•monitoring and controlling the performance of nursing and support staff
within the unit, and providing leadership
-
initiating studies to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing services in
the unit in relation to objectives, costs and nursing care
-
promoting working relationships with community agencies and health and
education providers
-
contributing to organisational objectives in relation to quality, safety
and risk management
Working conditions
Nurse managers usually work regular office hours, but may be
required to do shift work including weekends and public holidays, and
their working times may be irregular depending on the size of the unit
they supervise. They may also need to be able to provide training and
organise and attend meetings with staff and upper management.
Tools and technologies
Nurse managers regularly use computers to maintain staff records and
coordinate patient care, provide reports to upper management, help to
create staff rosters, and allocate resources in the nursing care unit
they supervise. They may also use computers and other resources to keep
up to date with current advances in nursing, consult government
legislation and policies, and access professional development and
training for staff.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a nurse manager you must first become a qualified registered
nurse. You must also gain sufficient practical experience as a nurse in
the area you wish to work in, and usually need to complete postgraduate
study in nursing and management.
Most universities in Australia offer relevant bachelor degree courses in
nursing, and postgraduate courses in nursing and management.
To work as a nurse in Australia, you must obtain professional
registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, and hold
a current Working with Children Check issued by the Working with
Children Screening Unit of the Department of Community Services.
Nurse Unit Manager
(Source:
Seek)
Did You Know?
Traits of a Successful Nurse Manager
Working as a nurse manager requires skills beyond clinical
care. The job requires management skills, budgeting and business
acumen and leadership qualities.
Communications and interpersonal skills are also vital. The
following characteristics are common among successful nurse
managers:
Effective Communication Skills – Part of being an
effective leader is listening to staff and patient concerns and
communicating needs. Nurse managers must be able to build solid
rapports with all staff members, from the janitorial staff to head
administrators, as well as patients to create cohesiveness.
Advocacy –
In some cases, nurse leaders might have to advocate for
staff to ensure a safe and reasonable practice environment. In other
cases, they might have to advocate for patient safety and access to
quality healthcare. Nurse managers should not be afraid of using
their voice and position.
Participation –
With so many administrative demands, it is important that
nurse managers balance business with patient care. Nurse managers
must have superior clinical skills to ensure patient safety and
wellbeing.
Mentoring –
Successful nurse leaders do not micromanage their staff.
They encourage, empower, mentor, and find strengths. They boost
creativity and mindfulness.
Maturity –
Nurse managers do not immediately take sides in squabbles
or assess blame before knowing all the facts. They don’t let
simmering emotions boil over. Instead, they meet conflict and work
through it.
Professionalism –
Nurse managers follow their moral compass to ensure all
aspects of the profession are met with honesty and integrity. They
address people with respect and do not bully.
Supportive –
They don’t set the bar for expectations unreasonably high.
Instead, they use supportive encouragement to challenge employees to
success. They coach and mentor.
(Source:
Duquesne University, School of Nursing)
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