Nursing should advocate for equal remuneration and opportunities for nurses preparation for management, policy development and leadership as is available to other health personnel being prepared for senior positions in the health sector. Nurse managers roles and functions are continually being re-defined in the context of health sector change. In restructured health services, nurse managers should be directly responsible for managing nursing services. They advise other managers whose staff includes nurses on matters pertaining to professional nursing. Nurses may also be managers in other areas of the health services.
Leadership is an essential component of management.
It is also critical that nurse leaders are developed for nursing. Nursing leadership includes coaching and mentoring others, and creating an environment and conditions for ongoing development and quality care. Leadership through professional nurses associations develops the profession and positions it strategically to influence health planning and policy. Maintaining networks and linkages with and between key stakeholders is essential to effective leadership and management. Also critical is the ability to continually assess the environment, to monitor performance, and to create or adapt to change as required.