Feature Articles
The role of nursing unit managers in educating nurses
Christine Duffield
Centre for Health Services Management, University of Technology, Sydney, Broadway NSW
Lynda Mary Wood
Senior Clinical Fellow; Doctoral Candidate, University of Technology, Sydney NSW
Helen Franks
Senior Research Officer, Centre for Health Services Management, University of Technology, Sydney NSW
Patricia Brisley
Clinical Nurse Consultant, Manly Hospital, Sydney NSW
PP: 244
Abstract
This paper presents the findings of a work sampling study undertaken in New South Wales (Australia) to ascertain the amount of time spent by nursing unit managers directly educating nurses. The results indicate that they spend very little time in teaching, traditionally one of their role tasks. It is argued that their teaching at unit level should focus on their role as leader, mentor, preceptor and coach. This role shift needs to be articulated to managers and nurses to minimise confusion over the role and to ensure that direct teaching is placed into the hands of expert clinicians.
Keywords
nursing unit manager, teaching role
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