AIMS: To raise nurse managers' critical awareness of practice problems; uncover practice constraints and improve work effectiveness.BACKGROUND: Nurse management requires skills and knowledge, underscored by emotional intelligence. The research improved participants' practice and personal insights.METHODS: Purposive sampling targeted nurse managers interested in improving their practice. Three experienced female nurse managers met fortnightly in a group, for 1 hour, for 10 meetings. The methods included: writing and sharing de-identified journal reflections; critically analysing practice stories; identifying a thematic concern; generating action strategies; and instituting and revising the action plan.RESULTS: Phase One resulted in the identification of the issue of 'being drained by the intensity of nurse managers' work'. The participants adopted five strategies: debriefing problematic situations; deflecting multiple requests; diffusing issues; naming dysfunctional behaviours; and regrouping. In Phase Two, participants implemented and revised the action plan strategies, which resulted in them feeling less drained by their work.CONCLUSIONS: Strategies can lessen nurse managers' sense of personal depletion. However, strategies cannot guarantee success every time because the emotional intelligence is integral to nurse management.IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Action research and reflection assist nurse managers to improve their practice and develop their emotional intelligence.
Adaptation, Psychological Attitude of Health Personnel