Effects of a Program Supporting Nurse Managers in Transferring Training to Their Workplace

Background Nurse managers (NMs) play a critical role in the effective functioning of health care organizations. The author considered that a structured program based on the theory of transfer of training would be effective for improving the competency of NMs. Therefore, the author developed a transfer of the training program for NMs. Aims To examine the efficacy of a program designed to support NMs in transferring training to their workplace and to foster competence. Methods The author developed a transfer of training program for NMs who had participated in second‐level training, a formal training program for certified nurse administrators in Japan. Fifteen NMs were enrolled in this quasi‐experimental study, which utilized a convenience sample and a one‐group pretest‐posttest design. The intervention group participated in the transfer of training program while undertaking their second‐level training. Surveys were conducted at three time points: before training (pretest), immediately after completion of the second‐level training (posttest 1), and 6 months after completion of the second‐level training (posttest 2). The outcome measures, which were derived from the Japanese First‐Line Nurse Managers Competence Inventory (JNMCI), were compared using paired t ‐tests. Results The NMs showed higher mean ± SD JNMCI scores at posttest 1 compared to pretest and at posttest 2 compared to posttest 1. In particular, JNMCI scores at posttest 2 showed significant improvement compared to pretest ( P < 0.05), indicating continuous improvement in JNMCI scores from pretest to posttest 2. Significant differences were observed between pretest and posttest 2 values in JNMCI subscales, including “promote staff retention,” “facilitate staff development,” “perform supervisor responsibilities,” and “develop the nursing practice environment” (all P ≤ 0.05). Implications The transfer training program developed for NMs improved competence among participants. Future development programs for NMs should include transfer training action strategies for each role player (NM‐supervisor‐trainer) at each time period during formal training.