Abstract

One of the needs related to the health care system in Israel is to improve the use of health manpower. Nurses are being involved in the training of auxiliary health workers but inappropriate position selection guidelines have led to a lack of understanding by the nurses themselves of their role. The objectives of this project are to describe the expected role, level of performance, and position selection guidelines for middle-management nursing, and to develop guidelines for identifying and selecting candidates who have potential to pursue middle-management activities.

Post-Project Summary

Based on questionnaires, researchers developed conceptual models for the role, selection, and training of middle management nurses, or Unit Head Nurses (UHNs). Ninety-nine percent of respondents felt UHNs were needed to coordinate patient care in the hospital and community-based facilities. For the expected role of nurses, patient care was noted as the main purpose of their activities, and constraints preventing the satisfaction of this role were identified. In selecting potential UHNs, personality traits and education were found to be the most important criteria. Unsuitable selection resulted mainly from factors such as favouritism and political influence by unions or the administration. Four areas of training were recommended: human relations skills; clinical specialization; education; and management and research. Practical experience and an interdisciplinary teaching approach were highly favoured by the respondents. Data also showed that the higher the education level of the respondent, the higher the desired level of preparation for a UHN.

Recipient Institution(s)