First-Line Nurse Managers' Span of Control Knowledge and Self- awareness: Effect on Patient Safety Standard Implementation

Abstract

Background: The duties of first line nurse manager (FLM) in healthcare has developed significantly over the last decade, which has expanded role responsibilities such as staff supervision across multiple areas. The study aimed to measuring the first line nursing managers (FLNMs) span of control and its effect on patient safety standards implementation among staff nurses. Research design: Qualitative correlational research design was applied. Setting: The study was operated in, Ain-Shams and Pediatrics University hospitals, Egypt. Sample: Included of a convenient sampling technique was used to select participants of this study. Consists of head nurses and their assistants (57n) and staff nurses (131n) who were working in the previous setting. Instruments : two tools were equipped and applied to gather the needed data. First Tool: Model of Nursing Clinical Practice Staff Mix Guide tool. The second was developed tool by the researchers based on WHO patient safety book The results: The study revealed that, a statistically significance difference (P= 0.033*) was found related to knowledge, self-awareness among the studied subjects, by regard to total table shows that span of control among head nurses is appropriate level (50.9%), span of control among head nurses is at appropriate level, a positive significance correlation between self-awareness and years of experience in addition between the span of control and years of experience. Conclusion: The study concluded that, there a positive significance correlation between self-awareness and years of experience, also, span of control and years of experience, no statistically significance relations between staff nurses’ knowledge, view of own knowledge (self-awareness) and of implementation of IPSGs and head nurses’ span of control among neither head nurses nor staff nurses is found. Recommendations: The study recommended that, first line nurse managers should have training programs on span of control and safety standards at work place, Span of control should be reviewed periodically and be part of routine organization activities.