Caring for each other: how do nurse managers 'manage' their role?

Aim: This article will report on one aspect of a larger study that explored the working lives of nursing unit managers in Australia. The support of nursing unit managers is the focus of this article. Background: There is evidence in the recent literature that nurses are not generally supportive of each other and that nursing unit managers are not adequately supported to manage their expanding administrative and managerial responsibilities. Method: A qualitative feminist approach was used to conduct individual interviews with 20 nursing unit managers employed in the public healthcare system in Australia. Results: The results indicated that participants did not feel supported by the wider organization, but gained support from within their own ranks. Conclusions: The results showed a strong support system within the participant group, despite evidence in the literature that nurses, generally, are not supportive of each other. The results of this study may be used in the development of more effective support mechanisms for nurse managers.