Nurse exec calls for transforming nurse manager role

In a January Journal of Nursing Administration guest editorial, Press Ganey CNE and Senior Vice President Jeffrey Doucette, DNP, RN, writes the “volatile and complex” health care environment makes the traditional nurse manager role unsustainable. He calls for nurse leaders to transform the role to meet the demands of modern care delivery and workforce expectations. Doucette, an AONL member, notes that organizations should redefine scope and span of control to permit nurse managers deeper engagement with staff and patients. They should invest in leadership development, emphasizing competency-based training, mentorship and succession planning. In addition, leaders should ensure the nurse manager role supports work-life effectiveness and include nurse managers at decision-making tables to inform organizational strategy, policy development and innovation initiatives.