Exploring the planning practices of nurse managers in the unit: a study of nurse managers in the greater Accra region
Loading...
Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Emerald Publishing Limited
Abstract
Purpose – Nurse managers’ planning practices are essential to the practice of management in the unit, and the
overall efficiency of the healthcare service delivery. This study aims to explore the planning practices of nurse
managers in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach – A descriptive phenomenological design was employed to explore
nurse managers’ planning practices. In total, 15 nurse managers and 47 nurses from 19 primary
and secondary hospitals of the Ghana Health Service and two specialized hospitals in the Greater Accra
Region, Ghana, were involved in the study. Data were collected using semi-structured interview guides and
probes.
Findings – The findings suggested that plans were widely common to all the units of the hospitals and were
considered satisfactory by nursemanagers. However, most of these plans were not effectively utilized. Nurse
managers had only fair knowledge about the planning process and were moderately involved and
communicated ideas to colleagues in the process. Furthermore, nurse managers do not frequently share the
vision neither do they even communicate expectations to achieve unit goals and objectives with
subordinates.
Originality/value – The research emphasizes the relevance of planning in healthcare management. It
highlights the management practice of planning in the context of nurse managers and accentuates the values
the healthcare system derives with effective planning practices.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Planning practices, Nursing manager, Healthcare delivery, Planning, Unit level