Professional protection as the strategy of nurse managers to deal with nursing negligence

Abstract

Aim: To explore strategies used by nurse managers in dealing with nursing negligence in clinical practice. Background: Negligence is a global challenge in healthcare settings with a significant impact on patient safety. Nurse managers have a responsibility to prevent negligence and improve the quality of healthcare services. Methods: This study used a qualitative research design and an inductive content analysis method. Using semistructured interviews, data were collected from 26 purposively selected nurse managers working in seven hospitals in an urban area of Iran. Findings: The category of “professional protection” was our main research finding. It encompassed three subcategories of “kind treatment of the nurse accused of negligence,” “nurse manager's prudent support for the nurse accused of negligence,” and “paternalistic leadership style.”. Conclusion: The nurse managers tried to overcome the challenge of nursing negligence through professional protection indicating a series of dynamic and conscious activities for dealing with situations that threatened patient safety. Implications for nursing and policy: Appropriate management of nursing negligence requires appropriate and peaceful discussion with nurses to preserve their dignity and motivation to work. Education and training about nursing negligence and reflection on negligence incidents can empower nurses and improve the safety of nursing services.