Nurses and Managers’ Time Management Skills Assessment: A National Survey in the Italian Healthcare Setting

Abstract

One of the key strategies for the success of health organizations currently resides in the ability to develop advanced competencies in time management. Individuals who are able to spend their time efficiently are those who do not focus on a single issue within the allotted time but rather spread their time among several tasks. This study aims to investigate the attitudes, beliefs and knowledge towards the time management of nurses (clinicians, first-line and middle-level nurse managers) in their daily work. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted in private and public settings across Italy. Time management was assessed using the University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti—Laboratory of Business Psychology’s Questionnaire. Among the respondents (N = 74), 67.6% were female, and the age range was 51–60 years (40.5%). The three reported sections (Time management, Health conditions and Ability to delegate) showed several items with statistical significance (p < 0.05). Anxiety, stress and negative perceptions are statistically related to time management skills and knowledge. Healthcare institutions and regulatory bodies should provide resources and support to nurses and managers to improve their time management. The topic is of paramount importance and forms the basis of all work performed.