Validation of a Questionnaire on the Competencies of Middle Nurse Managers in the Financial Field: A Preliminary Investigation

Introduction. The role of Middle Nurse Managers has become increasingly complex, encompassing responsibilities that range from personnel recruitment to financial and strategic management. Recently, their tasks have become more focused on administrative activities, reducing direct clinical involvement. This evolution can lead to stress and dissatisfaction, requiring a more empathetic and relational management approach to improve work quality. To conduct a preliminary linguistic validation and evaluate the reliability of the Italian version of the "360 Degree Evaluation of the Job-Related Skill Perception of Primary Health Care Nursing Managers" questionnaire. Methods. A translation and cultural adaptation study of the cited questionnaire into Italian was conducted. The goal of the linguistic validation was to produce a translated version that maintained the integrity of the original questionnaire. Results. This preliminary study evaluates the validity of the "360 Degree Evaluation of the Job-Related Skill Perception of Primary health care Nursing Managers" scale among Middle Nurse Managers in Italian hospitals. The scale, consisting of 40 items, assesses skills in communication, leadership, personnel management, financial management, planning and priority setting, and problem-solving. Findings indicate that nurse managers perceive high competencies in communication, leadership, and personnel management, while highlighting gaps in financial management and the implementation of complex plans. Discussion. The study highlights the need for specific, targeted training in financial management to address these gaps. Such training is essential to enhance the competencies of nursing middle managers and support the success of healthcare organizations. Further psychometric validation studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.