A Delphi study forecasting management training and development for first‐line nurse managers

First‐line nurse managers in the Canadian healthcare system are facing many challenges due, in large part, to reduced funding for healthcare since the early 1990s and the accompanying reorganization and downsizing of healthcare organizations that leave nurse managers with greater pressures to do more with less. A two‐round Delphi study was conducted with a panel of 41 Canadian nurse managers selected from hospitals, with at least 100 beds, in the province of Alberta. The Delphi study examined current and future management training and development (MTD) for first‐line nurse managers in light of their challenges and changing roles. The aim was to identify major recommendations for health care administrators and educators to prepare and support first‐line nurse managers effectively in the future. Findings underscored the need for management skills training, especially human resource management and budgeting skills. Given the resource constraints of healthcare organizations, cost‐efficient recommendations are presented for MTD.