Sofia Pellegrini, Michela Panero, Andrea Minciullo, Lucia Filomeno

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

Introduction

Validation of a questionnaire on the competencies of middle nurse managers in the financial field: a preliminary investigation. Validate a questionnaire on Middle Nurse Managers' financial competencies in Italian hospitals. Study reveals gaps in financial management, highlighting the need for targeted training.

Abstract

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.

Review

This preliminary investigation tackles a highly pertinent issue concerning the evolving role of Middle Nurse Managers, whose responsibilities are increasingly shifting towards administrative and financial oversight. The authors set out to conduct a linguistic validation and reliability assessment of the Italian version of the "360 Degree Evaluation of the Job-Related Skill Perception of Primary Health Care Nursing Managers" questionnaire. This endeavor is valuable, as robust, culturally adapted instruments are crucial for accurately assessing management competencies in diverse healthcare settings, particularly given the acknowledged stress and dissatisfaction stemming from these expanded roles. The identification of specific skill gaps, especially in financial management, underscores the practical relevance of this research for informing targeted professional development initiatives. While the study's aim is commendable, several aspects warrant further clarification and deeper methodological detail. The title specifically highlights "Competencies of Middle Nurse Managers in the Financial Field," yet the abstract indicates the validation of a broader 40-item questionnaire assessing six distinct skill areas, with financial management being only one. More importantly, the abstract names the instrument as a "360 Degree Evaluation," implying multi-source feedback; however, the results section only discusses "nurse managers perceiv[ing] high competencies," suggesting a self-assessment approach. This creates a significant ambiguity regarding the actual scope of the instrument's application and whether true 360-degree feedback was collected or analyzed, which is fundamental to the instrument's namesake. Furthermore, details on the specific processes of "linguistic validation," "cultural adaptation," and the metrics used to evaluate "reliability" are critically absent, making it challenging to appraise the methodological rigor of these initial steps. Despite these limitations, the preliminary findings regarding the perceived gaps in financial management and complex plan implementation offer actionable insights for Italian healthcare organizations. The call for specific, targeted training is well-justified and highlights a critical area for investment in nurse manager development. However, to solidify these preliminary findings and fully establish the utility and psychometric soundness of the translated questionnaire, future studies must provide comprehensive details on the validation process. This includes transparent reporting of all psychometric properties (e.g., specific reliability coefficients, factor analysis for construct validity), a clear explanation of whether the "360 Degree" aspect of the tool was fully utilized, and a more focused discussion on how these findings specifically relate to the instrument's validation in the financial domain.

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