An exploration of the working life and role of the ward manager within an acute care hospital organisation

TY - JOUR

T1 - An exploration of the working life and role of the ward manager within an acute care hospital organisation

AU - Pegram, Anne M.

AU - Grainger, Michelle

AU - Jones, Kathryn

AU - While, Alison

PY - 2015/6/12

Y1 - 2015/6/12

N2 - The ward manager’s role is a complex one that involves meeting financial targets, responding to changes in organisational structures and ensuring the delivery of quality patient care. Whilst the ward manager’s role remains key to service delivery, there has been limited research on the current role from the perspective of ward managers. A survey of ward managers, exploring aspects of their working lives and potential enablers of the ward manager role, is described. The variety of activities within the role was a source of job satisfaction despite the challenge of ‘keeping on top of everything’. Potential role enablers included having protected time for the managerial aspects of the role. The study findings indicate the need to understand the role of the ward manager with particular reference to job satisfaction, and the underpinning support required to enable ward managers to execute the role effectively.

AB - The ward manager’s role is a complex one that involves meeting financial targets, responding to changes in organisational structures and ensuring the delivery of quality patient care. Whilst the ward manager’s role remains key to service delivery, there has been limited research on the current role from the perspective of ward managers. A survey of ward managers, exploring aspects of their working lives and potential enablers of the ward manager role, is described. The variety of activities within the role was a source of job satisfaction despite the challenge of ‘keeping on top of everything’. Potential role enablers included having protected time for the managerial aspects of the role. The study findings indicate the need to understand the role of the ward manager with particular reference to job satisfaction, and the underpinning support required to enable ward managers to execute the role effectively.

KW - job satisfaction

KW - role

KW - ward manager

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84930806623&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1177/1744987115585599

DO - 10.1177/1744987115585599

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:84930806623

SN - 1744-9871

VL - 20

SP - 312

EP - 328

JO - Journal of Research in Nursing

JF - Journal of Research in Nursing

IS - 4

ER -