NURS 2110

Principles of Management and Leadership in Nursing

Study Guide

Unit 1: Management:
The meaning and principles of management
The importance of management in nursing

Objectives

Upon completion of this topic, you will be able to:

• discuss organisational theories

critically analyse your nursing practices in relation to the principles of
management
discuss how your present healthcare organization incorporates concepts of
organizational theories and management principles

Learning Activities

Note book (online)

You will be prompted throughout the lesson to write your thoughts and reflections
in the Note book. You are encouraged to write anything else that you find
important to the lesson.
You will benefit from consistent entries as this will be graded

Reflection
At the end of the unit, you are required to write in your Note book, a summary of
all knowledge acquired from the learning activities in this unit. Take into
consideration new knowledge you have acquired from the readings, reflections
and Note book entries. This will conclude your learning for this unit.

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Required Readings

1. Accorn, S., Ratner, P. & Crawford, M. (1997). Decentralising as a

determinant of autonomy, job satisfaction, and organizational
commitment among nurse managers. Nursing Research. 46(1).

2. Marquis, B.L. & Huston, C.J. (2009). Leadership roles and

management functions in nursing - theory & application (6 th ed.)
Philadelphia : Lippincott. Chp.

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 NURS 2110
Principles of Management and Leadership in Nursing

Study Guide

Unit 1: Management:
The meaning and principles of management
The importance of management in nursing

Welcome to Unit 1

You will be having a very interesting time throughout this module. You might feel
a little daunting at the beginning but don't worry as, the excitement builds up as
you go along. Just remember to share as much as you can online as this is one
of the important ways you will gain knowledge.

The 21st century is here. In the new workplace everyone must respond and adapt
to a rapidly changing society with constantly shifting demands and opportunities.
You have to agree that organisations are fast changing and the nature of work
itself is changing. The way wards and hospitals were managed ten years ago
have changed rapidly. The global economy, driven by innovation and technology
played an important part in this change. Even the concept of success, personal
and organisational, is evolving. What was considered good practice a few years
ago is now considered malpractice. In this age of continuous challenge, an
important message must be heard – smart people and smart wards / hospitals
create their own futures.

The noted management theorist, Peter Drucker reminds us of an historical fact.

Not only does our society depend upon organisations to provide essential goods
and services, we depend upon them to provide gainful employment. Everyone
has a stake in making sure that organisations perform up to expectations. “Good
organisations make real and positive contributions to society”.

To be able to understand the principles of management, one has to first

understand the historical foundations of organisations and management. This
unit is mostly theory from which you would be able to have a broader outlook on
your own organisation.

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Let’s begin with the readings.

Readings Please read chp. 12 pp. 264-272 of Marquis & Huston

and at the same time refer to the first 3 slides of the
PowerPoint notes (you can find the PowerPoint slides on
VENuS)

Now that you have read the above readings, reflect on your own organization
and answer the questions asked in the activity below.

How would you describe your organisation and its

effectiveness?

Activity Is your organization of the 21st century design?

Are there any changes you would like to make to your

organisation chart?

Please write your answers in the Note book

Among the many changes affecting managerial work today, the concept of the
“up-side-down pyramid” is one of the most symbolic. The operating workers are
at the top of the pyramid and are supported in their work efforts by managers
located at the bottom. These managers aren’t just order-givers; they are there to
help other people serve the customer’s needs. From this perspective, each
individual staff is a value-added worker. The whole organization is devoted to
serving the customer / patient and this is made possible with the support of the
managers.

Readings Please read chapter 12 pp. 273-275 of Marquis & Huston

and
the article by Sonia Acorn.

Acorn writes about the effect of a decentralized structure in

hospital management

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The concept of creating a ‘motivating climate’ is of particular relevance for the
contemporary nurse manager. No longer do practicing nurses readily accept
work settings that stifle professional capabilities – there are now many other work
options for nurses.
The work climate for nurses is a critical performance indicator of how successful
the manager is in his/her job. The kind of climate that the nurse manager creates
will influence staff’s job satisfaction, performance and productivity. It will also
influence staff attraction and retention rates.

What do you think about the issues discussed, such as 'job

Activity performance' and 'nurse turnover'?

1. How would you motivate your staff to give their

best at work

2. How to have them stay with your organization.

Write your answers to the above questions in the Note book.

Readings Now let's look at the various styles of management, by

reading the following :

Marquis & Huston, chp. 13, pp. 296-303 & chp. 2 pp. 36-37

You may want to refer to the PowerPoint slides as well as the

text

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As a manager, you need to draw from a wide range of management and
leadership theories to develop an individual management style that works well
within your ward /health care setting. Your role may change according to the
level of management you hold and the size and nature of the setting in which you
work.

How would you describe your own management style?

Now that you know more about the styles of management

Activity
and its outcomes, are there any areas of your management
style that you may want to change?

Please write your answers to these questions in your Note

book.

Activity Next, write briefly in your Note book,

1. How you would manage your staff, who fit into one of
the theories mentioned (Theory X, Y, Z).

2. If you could choose, which of the theories you would

like your staff to posses and why.

To conclude this unit, go to your Note book and write briefly

Reflection all the knowledge you have acquired from this unit’s learning
activities.
Are there any aspects of your management style you would
keep or change so as to create a ‘motivating climate’ at your
workplace?

Conclusion

The 21st century nurse manager must accept and positively respond to the
challenges of an ever-changing Malaysian healthcare environment. How would
you manage the new breed of staff nurses who are either diploma or tertiary
educated, different from the way nurses were managed ten years ago? Would
you now agree that it is imperative for nurse administrators to be formally trained
as managers to face today's challengers?
The next three units will be on the management process. I hope to see you then
for another interesting time online.
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