Confident nurse manager in a high-tech operating room.

Mastering the OR: Essential Competencies for Nurse Managers in Greek Hospitals

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlock key skills and knowledge to lead effectively in the demanding environment of operating rooms and improve patient care through nurse manager competencies."

Operating rooms (ORs) are the financial and administrative epicenters of any hospital. Modern technology demands highly trained personnel, making these departments resource-intensive. Beyond the advanced equipment, ORs are staffed by professionals with diverse, sometimes conflicting, interests. This creates a complex environment where leaders must be both business-savvy and clinically astute.

Nurse managers in these settings juggle budgetary constraints, equipment procurement, staff training, and personnel shortages. To navigate these challenges and ensure quality patient care, a specific skill set is essential. Understanding which competencies are most critical is the first step toward developing effective OR leaders.

In Greek hospitals, this need is particularly acute. While OR nurse managers exist, there is a lack of research exploring the necessary competencies for these frontline leaders. This gap prompted a study to identify and measure the managerial competencies, skills, and knowledge required for competent OR nurse managers, aiming to improve the quality of care in these vital hospital areas.

Key Competencies for OR Nurse Managers

Confident nurse manager in a high-tech operating room.

A recent study focused on identifying and measuring essential competencies for OR nurse managers in Greek hospitals. The research, utilizing the Nurse Manager Questionnaire, involved 153 operating room nurses and nurse managers across various General and Army Hospitals. Participants rated 53 skills, evaluating their necessity for effective OR nurse management. The study revealed several crucial insights into the competencies that define successful OR leadership.

The study underscored the paramount importance of decision-making, ethical principles, and effective communication. These were identified as the most vital competencies for OR nurse managers. Conversely, financial competencies were deemed the least necessary by the respondents. This doesn't diminish the importance of financial acumen, but rather highlights the greater need for skills that directly impact patient care and team dynamics.

The key findings of the research include:

Decision-Making: The ability to make sound judgments and quick decisions in a high-pressure environment.
Ethical Principles: A strong moral compass to navigate complex ethical dilemmas.
Effective Communication: Clear and open communication to foster teamwork and prevent misunderstandings.
Leadership: the ability to motivate and guide staff effectively.

Further analysis revealed that educational preparation significantly influenced technical, human, and leadership competencies. Nurses with higher education levels placed greater importance on these skills. Age also played a role, with younger nurses valuing leadership and financial competencies more than their older counterparts. These findings suggest that ongoing training and professional development should be tailored to address the specific needs and experience levels of OR nurse managers.

The Path Forward: Cultivating Competent OR Nurse Managers

The operating room is a high-stakes environment demanding qualified personnel and effective leadership. OR nurse managers must possess a blend of technical and human skills to ensure patient safety and promote quality perioperative nursing care. By focusing on the key competencies identified in this study, Greek hospitals can cultivate effective OR nurse managers who are well-equipped to handle the challenges of this critical role. These skills will promote a safer, more efficient, and ultimately, more patient-centered environment.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.5430/cns.v2n2p16, Alternate LINK

Title: Operating Room Nurse Manager Competencies In Greek Hospitals

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Clinical Nursing Studies

Publisher: Sciedu Press

Authors: Konstantinia Karathanasi, Panagiotis Prezerakos, Malliarou Maria, O. Siskou, D. Kaitelidou

Published: 2014-02-12

Everything You Need To Know

What are the most important competencies for nurse managers working in operating rooms?

In operating rooms, nurse managers need to possess decision-making skills to make sound judgments quickly, adhere to ethical principles to navigate complex moral dilemmas, and practice effective communication to foster teamwork. These competencies are critical for ensuring smooth operations and preventing misunderstandings within the team.

What did the study in Greek hospitals reveal about the perceived importance of various competencies for operating room nurse managers?

The study in Greek hospitals revealed that decision-making, ethical principles, and effective communication are considered most vital for operating room nurse managers. Financial competencies, while still important, were deemed less necessary compared to skills directly impacting patient care and team dynamics. This suggests a prioritization of skills related to clinical leadership and team management over strictly financial acumen in the OR setting.

How does education level and age influence the perception of essential competencies among operating room nurses?

The study indicated that nurses with higher education levels placed greater importance on technical, human, and leadership competencies. Younger nurses valued leadership and financial competencies more than their older counterparts. This highlights the need for tailored professional development programs that consider both the educational background and experience level of operating room nurse managers, ensuring they receive targeted training to enhance their specific skill sets.

What are the potential implications if operating room nurse managers lack strong decision-making, ethical principles, and communication skills?

Without competent nurse managers who possess strong decision-making abilities, a commitment to ethical principles, and excellent communication skills, operating rooms may face increased risks of errors, decreased teamwork, and compromised patient care. Effective leadership ensures that resources are managed efficiently, staff members are well-supported, and patient safety is prioritized, all of which contribute to better outcomes in this high-stakes environment. A lack of these competencies can lead to inefficiencies, conflicts, and potentially adverse events impacting patient well-being.

How was the 'Nurse Manager Questionnaire' used to assess essential competencies in Greek hospitals' operating rooms?

The Nurse Manager Questionnaire, utilized in the study, involved operating room nurses and nurse managers across various General and Army Hospitals in Greece. Participants evaluated 53 skills, rating their necessity for effective OR nurse management. This comprehensive approach allowed researchers to gather valuable insights into the specific competencies considered most important by those working directly in the OR environment, providing a robust foundation for identifying key areas for training and development.