Financial management roles of nurse managers in selected public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

Nellie Naranjee,Maureen N Sibiya,Thembelihle S.P Ngxongo

doi:10.4102/phcfm.v11i1.1981

Nellie Naranjee, Maureen N Sibiya + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v11i1.1981

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Abstract

BackgroundThe public health sector in South Africa has been facing severe financial cutbacks and financial constraints in recent times. The nurse manager (NM) is faced with the task of managing and reducing expenditure in the nursing sector without compromising the quality care. This requires skills and understanding of financial management.AimThis study aimed to explore the financial management roles of NMs and to identify financial management development needs necessary for NMs’ practice.SettingThe study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal. A total of eight hospitals from the five health districts were included.MethodsThe study used the naturalistic paradigm with a constructivist grounded theory approach. Interviews were used to initially gather data from six NMs who were purposively selected. Theoretical sampling was used to further recruit financial managers, chief executive officers, assistant nurse managers and operational managers. The final sample consisted of 18 participants.ResultsFinancial management of the hospitals is the primary function of the financial managers and the chief executive officers. However, the role of NMs extends to the performance and participation in various activities relating to the financial functioning of the hospital. These include financial planning, financial monitoring, financial decision-making and financial control.ConclusionNurse managers have a financial management function in public health care organisations but lack the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies to function in this role and require additional training. Recommendations included that a competency framework be developed to improve the financial management competencies of NMs.

Highlights

In the public South African health care sector, the nurse manager (NM) is responsible for and oversees the nursing section of the health care organisation
Such an understanding was critical during the data analysis phase as it helped with the development of a financial management competency framework for NMs (Figure 2)
Four major themes emerged from the exploration of the financial management roles and responsibilities of the NMs, as well as the financial activities that they practice in their current positions, namely financial planning, financial monitoring, financial decision-making and financial control (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

In the public South African health care sector, the nurse manager (NM) is responsible for and oversees the nursing section of the health care organisation. An increased awareness of financial competence is emerging among nurses, but many health care organisations still find that financial management is one of the main shortcomings of the NMs.[2] Financial skills of NMs are weak resulting in them and other nurses not being able to understand finances and not taking responsibility for the financial functioning of the nursing departments.[3]. The nurse manager (NM) is faced with the task of managing and reducing expenditure in the nursing sector without compromising the quality care. This requires skills and understanding of financial management

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Discussion

Conclusion