Human resource management activities on the front line: a nursing perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the practical human resource management (HRM) issues that may impact on job satisfaction, nurse retention and ultimately quality of patient care of the nurse unit manager's (NUM) role.


BACKGROUND
NUMs are in the unique position within the healthcare industry to impact upon and effect large numbers of people, including nurses, doctors, patients and their families, and processes on a daily basis. More effective HRM practices could improve performance in terms of staff satisfaction, positive patient outcomes and the cost effectiveness of staff retention.


METHODS
Two focus groups, one group of nine NUMs and one group of five staff nurses, were conducted at an Australia public hospital. A descriptive phenomenological approach informed data generation and data analysis.


RESULTS
The NUMs reported that they were not adequately trained in the skills required to effectively manage staff conflict such as manipulation and bitterness, requiring disciplinary intervention on an ongoing basis. The consequences included reduced staff morale, decreased staff satisfaction, increased stress to the NUM and ultimately retention issues for both the NUM and Unit staff.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlights the potential impact of inadequate implementation and understanding of HRM policy and practice by NUMS on the front line. Further research is required to understand why this phenomenon exists and how it can be remedied.
Quality, Planning and Innovation, Eastern Health, VIC, Australia.
Deanna M
DM
O'Donnell
Patricia M
PM
Livingston
Timothy
T
Bartram
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009729:Nursing; D014739:Victoria