5 Traits of a Successful Nurse Manager

Having these traits will make you a successful nurse manager, and will help you apply your clinical experience and leadership skills. It is important to know what makes a nurse manager successful. Looking outward for resources is a good start. Starting a career as a nurse manager is tough work and jumping into it without experience is very difficult. We explored the position by speaking with nurses about nurse management. Nurses know the manager needs to be responsible for leading teams, mentoring others, and financial planning.

Other responsibilities of a Nurse Manger include:

• Providing leadership and guidance to other nurses
• Ensuring that staff are properly trained
• Addressing any personnel issues to promote a productive and supportive work environment
• Monitor patient care
• Work with Management and others to develop, implement, and evaluate programs and services
• Apply evidence-based healthcare practices and nursing standards
• Review patient and staff on effectiveness of patient care

These responsibilities mean the manager needs to be mindful of a lot at once. What traits will make you successful on the job?

Combining Your Experience

Nurse managers have trouble switching between the clinical and fiscal responsibilities. Demands have changed with tighter budgets and consolidating resources. With your day to day responsibilities, it is easy to lose your way. A careful plan for the week and constant communication is key for making decisions.

Making Strategic Decisions

Successful managers must balance short-terms needs with long term goals. Decisions are often made behind the scenes but make a huge impact on long-term success. Having all the information before making any decision is crucial. Creating relationships and constant communication between staff members allows you to be more open to information; information you may have missed without building relationships.

Work Relationships

Managers know that developing and maintaining strong relationships with your staff is a key component to being successful. Relationships with your staff opens practicing shared governance by listening to input from the staff. Listening to the staff quickly resolves any conflicts as they happen. Staff communication also promotes a healthy work environment and improves patient outcomes. Positive patient outcomes come with leadership integrity.

Management Leadership

Great managers lead their teams with integrity, while upholding their own professional accountability. Accountability comes with their own moral compass. Stay honest with your staff. Leading with integrity does not mean doing what the staff wants to do, but what needs to get done. When giving instruction to the staff you need to give specific reasons why the decision or action needs to be carried out. Doing this eliminates any questions about the decision or action sounding forced.

Keep Your Staff Close

Keep your staff close knit. Not only does this help productivity but provides support for a safe and comfortable working environment, which reduces stress. Nurses that do not feel supported are less likely to have satisfaction in their position. This can lead to nurses leaving their job or even their profession. Successful nurse managers set the bar high to challenge their staff to perform the best, coach and to mentor.

What other traits make a successful nurse manager? Let us know in the comments below.