ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúcreates tools to manage ‘span of control’
In a in the April issue of Nurse Leader, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúSenior Director of Professional Practice Lori Wightman, DNP, RN, describes two tools ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúwill create to help nurse leaders determine appropriate nurse manager span of control. Span of control ─ defined as the responsibilities and number of direct reports assigned to nurse managers ─ directly affects financial outcomes, staff retention and quality of care. The ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúSpan of Control Assessment Index identifies factors affecting span of control, including headcounts, staff novices and staff turnover. A return on investment calculator will assist nurse leaders in justifying an investment in resources by enabling them to enter unit-specific details and determine the ROI if the span of control is addressed by increasing resources or reducing direct reports.