The management education and training needs of Army head nurses

The purpose of this study was to identify the management education and training needs of head nurses in the Army. Army head nurses and nurse supervisors were surveyed to identify those needs and to determine if there were differences between head nurses and supervisors, and among head nurses related to different factors. Factors considered were: sex, age, rank, degrees held, certifications, continuing education credit, Army course attendance, type of area managed, time in the job, number of personnel managed, and size of hospital. The sample consisted of 175 head nurses and 39 supervisors assigned to randomly selected Army hospitals. Thirty-five management topics were placed in a typology representing Mintzberg's three major managerial roles. Head nurses and supervisors indicated on a Likert scale their perception of head nurses' management education and training needs. Head nurses also reported their education and training in the topics. A Johari Window was constructed to depict the needs reported by supervisors and head nurses. The greatest needs reported and shared by the head nurses and supervisors were: leadership skills, counseling and guidance, performance evaluations, quality assurance, and problem solving. A simple test of frequency indicated over 50% of head nurses reported having had education and/or training in each of the shared needs. No significant differences were found between head nurses' and supervisors' perceived needs. Using a chi-square analysis, significance at the 0.05 level was found related to the head nurses attendance at the Army Head Nurse Course, and in the type of clinical area managed. Based on the study findings, the following recommendations were made: explore the effects of higher education on meeting needs related to head nurse performance; conduct research to determine the effectiveness of the Army Head Nurse Course; and conduct research to explore the differences in the management needs and preparation for different clinical specialities; and a job analysis should be done on the head nurse position.