Role of the Head Nurse By D Ahlam

Role of the Head Nurse

By D/ Ahlam EL-Shaer Lecture of Nursing Administration Faculty of Nursing Mansoura University

Out Lines n Definition of the head nurse n Nursing Management Levels n Criteria for selection of the head nurse n Different roles of the head nurse: I Patient care Management. II Staff management. III Unit management.

Definition of the head nurse The head nurse is a professional nurse who is responsible for one hospital unit, where nursing care is provided

The head nurse fills a first-line management position of the nursing management levels. The head nurse is a link between top and middle management levels and staff nurses

Nursing Management Levels Top management (director of nursing service department) Middle management (nurse supervisor) First line management (head nurse)

Criteria for selection of the head nurse 1 - Educational qualification 2 - Professional qualification 3 - Personal qualification

Different roles of the head nurse The head nurse has multi-roles in different areas in nursing as follows: I II III Patient care Management. Staff management. Unit management.

I. Patient care Management. Head nurse must have a body of scientific knowledge and proper competencies to be able to use the five steps of nursing process and ensure that each staff nurse is able to use nursing process to provide patient care

II. Staff management A. Orientation of new staff B. Staff utilization C. Time schedule D. Patient assignment E. Staff supervision. F. Staff development. G. Staff performance appraisal

III. Unit management 1 - Transcription of medical prescription. nance of supplies and equipment. 3 - Maintenance of records and reports. 4 - Plant maintenance 5 - Reception of visitors. 6 -Handling telephone messages 7 -Dietary and housekeeping services.