Role Expectation of Nurse Managers in Geriatric Health Services Facilities

Back ground: The characteristics of geriatric health services facilities (GHSF) in Japan include provision of care focused on the life of the residents, and there is a need for cooperation between care workers and physical therapists responsible for the care. Thus, it is expected that a nurse manager occupies specific roles suited for the above characteristics that are different from those of medical facilities. Thus, we aimed to clarify the role expected of nurse managers via a questionnaire survey administered to nurses and care workers in GHSF. Methods: We used a descriptive, cross-sectional design. The study was conducted in 56 GHSF all over Japan. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire. The questionnaires consisted of 35 items for determining role expectation of nurse managers, the background information of respondents. The role of nurse managers was analyzed using principal factor analysis (promax rotation). Findings: A total of 259 nurses and care workers participated in this study. We extracted 34 items by factor analysis, which were classified into three factors (promotion of home nursing, management of medical care, and environment creation for collaboration and education). Among care workers, four factors consisting of 33 items were extracted. Factors one, two, and three were similar to those of nurses; “intervention to ethical problem” was extracted as the additional fourth factor. Conclusion: The roles required for nurse managers in GHSF are the promotion of home nursing, which is the original role of the health services facilities, exhibition of the specialty as a healthcare professional, creation of a work environment that promotes mutual understanding for collaboration with other professionals, and enhancement of the education and training system.