The implementation of a methodology for measuring the performance of nurse managers in a hospital for highly specialized care intensity through the PDCA approach

Background: the complexity of nurse managers’ role is gradually changed from assistance to management. The aim of this study is to implement an innovative indicator to globally evaluate the features, the professional skills and their performance is described. Methods: the authors found out the features of a valuable nurse managers through an interview to the directors of all the nurses. The method individuated three different aspects (qualitative, quantitative and relational) that were transformed in a single indicator. The approach used by the authors is the PDCA. Results: A total of 18 nurse managers were evaluated in this study. All the results confirmed the judgment of the Healthcare Professions Structure head. Conclusion: This assessment method, validated with these tests, is able to evaluate the nurse manager’s ability to manage personnel, resources and patients.