title: Exploring competencies: a qualitative study of Chinese nurse managers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify core competencies needed in the transition of nurse managers on the way to excellence.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  There is growing recognition of the importance of nurse managers in hospitals. Most managers still learn through their failures and few studies have described the perceptions of nurse managers in China. It is vital to understand what competencies Chinese nurse managers should have in order to establish suitable training programmes and improve their management skills.
  
  
  METHODS
  A phenomenological approach that included in-depth interviews with 12 nurse managers in six Chinese hospitals was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The transition to management included four phases: the adaptive phase, the running-in and stable phase, the stagnation phase and the maturation phase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In order to fulfil their clinical responsibilities, nurse managers need to develop multifaceted competencies, specifically in communication and stress management. Ideally, nurse managers should progress through the four phases mentioned above to achieve excellence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a requirement for utilising various methods for nurse managers in adapting new roles, improving communication and relieving stress.
authors: Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Wen-Yi
authors: WY
authors: Luo
authors: Nursing Department, Shanghai Children's Medical Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Nan-Ping
authors: NP
authors: Shen
authors: Nursing Department, Shanghai Children's Medical Centre, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Jian-Hua
authors: JH
authors: Lou
authors: Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Ping-Ping
authors: PP
authors: He
authors: School of Nursing, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Ji-Wen
authors: JW
authors: Sun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D020377:Self Efficacy
keywords: competency; management skills; nurse manager; phenomenological approach; qualitative research