Impact of workshop training of time management skills on its application by head nurses

Time management skills are considered as determinant factor of managers’ success. Promoting abilities and performance of nurses are demands of human resource improvement in health sectors. The study aimed at investigating the impact of workshop training on time management skills application of head nurses affiliated to university hospitals in Golestan province. All nurses working in one of the university hospitals in Golestan province (n=76) were participated in this quasi–experimental study. Data were gathered through self-administered questionnaires assessing four skills of time management: goal setting/ prioritizing, time mechanic, control on time and organization before and after the education. Data were analyzed by wilcoxon and man-Whitney tests. The study indicated that most of participants were female (70.1%), married (85.7%), with bachelor degree in nursing and mean age of 37.45.4 year. Average of professional experience and employing as a head nurse were 13.76.3 and 6.15.4 years, respectively. Participants were using goal setting (91.8%) and organization skills (98.4%), time mechanic (5%) and control on time (19.4%) prior to intervention. While the values converted to 91.8%, 98.4% and 32.3% for goal setting, organization and control on time, respectively after the intervention. No significant difference was found between skill of time mechanic before and after the education. Applying the skills before and after the intervention was just significantly different in control on time and organization (P<0.05). Considering the results and importance of time management skill's application in nursing management, teaching such skills through continuous education programs could be contributed in improving head nurses’ performance.