Individual and Organizational Factors Associated With Nurse Manager Success.

Objective: The aim of this study was to synthesize previous findings and provide practical guidance for maximizing nurse manager and nurse performance.

Background: Two recent studies have linked nurse manager job design factors and individual differences to a variety of valued outcomes, but practical implications remain unclear.

Methods: A large US sample of nurse managers was divided on the basis of nurse and patient outcomes. Various characteristics are compared across the highest and lowest performers.

Results: Wider nurse manager span of control is associated with negative outcomes; the availability of support positions does not fully alleviate the consequences of wide spans. Nurse managers with fewer subordinates can effectively manage multiple units. Nurse manager experience is critical for success and cannot be fully replaced by leadership training programs.

Conclusions: Staffing and job design decisions have critical downstream implications. The present research provides guidance for effective staffing and job design.