Preparation for management: an exploratory study to ascertain perceptions of F grade nurses and clinical nurse managers

This paper reviews relevant literature and discusses the results of a small study designed to investigate how nurses are responding to the changes in the structure of the NHS which have reduced their role in management. The findings suggest that nurses who are currently at F grade level and their clinical nurse managers (CNM) are aware of the need for nurses seeking career progression to participate in education and training programmes related to nursing and management, particularly those which provide recognized qualifications, and that many are currently striving to achieve this. The findings also suggest that nurses want support to enable them to undertake further study, but that due to increasing pressure of work it is becoming more and more difficult for CNMs to provide the level of support they consider helpful. Nurses and CNMs urge those developing courses in management to ensure that courses are flexible to enable varying types of participation and tailoring to individual needs.