Balancing clinical duties with management responsibilities is a core challenge for Nurse Unit Managers (NUMs). While many nurses step into leadership roles with strong clinical expertise, the shift to managing teams, resources, and operations requires a new set of skills. The Nurse Unit Manager Leadership Program, delivered by the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) Institute of Leadership, provides practical tools and insights to navigate this transition with confidence.
This article explores key lessons from the program, including strategies for time management, effective delegation, balancing clinical and managerial responsibilities, and developing emotional intelligence. Three alumni share how these insights have influenced their practice and improved outcomes for their teams.
Streamlining time management for nurse leaders
NUMs are often pulled in multiple directions, balancing patient care with administrative responsibilities and team leadership. The program introduces practical time management techniques, such as time-blocking, prioritisation frameworks, and structured daily planning, to help participants manage these competing demands.
Rob Smith, Clinical Nurse Consultant at Princess Alexandra Hospital, applied these strategies and noticed a significant improvement in his daily workflow:
“I’ve adopted tools like structured daily plans and ‘red zone’ time blocks, ensuring critical administrative tasks are addressed while leaving space for clinical presence.”
— Rob Smith, Clinical Nurse Consultant at Princess Alexandra Hospital
By using these methods, Rob reduced task-switching, increased productivity, and ensured his team always had access to him when needed. Other participants reported that scheduling protected time for high-concentration tasks prevented burnout and allowed them to work more proactively, rather than constantly reacting to issues as they arose.
Empowering teams through delegation
Delegation is not about passing off work — it’s about matching tasks to team members’ capabilities, setting clear expectations, and fostering trust. The program helps NUMs develop delegation strategies to empower their staff while retaining oversight of unit performance.
Rob Smith saw the benefits of this first-hand:
“One key learning was the importance of delegation and trust. By effectively empowering team members with clear expectations and accountability, I’ve been able to focus on higher-level management tasks without compromising patient care quality.”
— Rob Smith, Clinical Nurse Consultant at Princess Alexandra Hospital
By improving his delegation skills, Rob enabled his team to take ownership of tasks within their scope of practice. This strengthened the team’s confidence and ensured that Rob had the capacity to focus on larger operational priorities.
Finding balance between management and clinical duties
Maintaining a balance between clinical involvement and management responsibilities requires structure and discipline. The program introduces techniques for setting boundaries, maintaining visibility, and staying connected to the team.
For Yuna Qi, Clinical Nurse at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, the program’s advice helped her stay engaged with patients and staff while fulfilling her leadership role:
“In my role as a Nurse Unit Manager, these insights have fostered a more balanced approach, enabling me to remain connected with patients and staff while handling managerial duties with greater efficiency. This improved balance has increased my responsiveness to both team and patient needs, resulting in smoother unit operations and better patient outcomes.”
— Yuna Qi, Clinical Nurse at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Yuna found that scheduling regular walkarounds, conducting short team huddles, and blocking time for clinical involvement helped her remain visible and approachable without neglecting essential administrative tasks.
Developing emotional intelligence for effective leadership
Technical expertise is crucial for NUMs, but emotional intelligence plays an equally important role in team management. The program provides practical exercises to develop self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication — all essential for fostering positive team dynamics.
For Cassandra Radford MACN, Nurse Consultant at South Australian Prison Health Services, these lessons were particularly impactful.
“The program has equipped me with the tools and ability to practice better self-awareness and self-compassion, knowing that I am not super-woman and sometimes things need to be triaged and prioritised. I’ve learned that solutions can take time.”
— Cassandra Radford MACN, Nurse Consultant at South Australian Prison Health Services
By prioritising emotional intelligence, Cassandra found it easier to manage stress, support her team during challenging periods, and lead with greater authenticity.
Cassandra also appreciated the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers.
“The NUM course was a great opportunity to hear experiences of those that have led before us, the ability to know that we are not alone in this journey and that there is so much knowledge out there to share and learn from.”
— Cassandra Radford MACN, Nurse Consultant at South Australian Prison Health Services
Why consider the Nurse Unit Manager Leadership Program?
The Nurse Unit Manager Leadership Program is a five-day, face-to-face masterclass designed to equip nurses with the skills they need to lead effectively. Participants learn from senior nurse leaders with extensive experience in clinical, operational, and executive roles, providing insight into the realities of healthcare leadership.
Through interactive sessions and case-based learning, participants develop practical leadership strategies they can implement immediately in their workplaces. The program also fosters a supportive environment where NUMs can connect, share experiences, and build long-lasting professional networks.
For nurses looking to take the next step in their leadership journey, this program offers the tools, techniques, and confidence to manage the demands of the NUM role while remaining engaged with their teams and patients.
Head to the ACN Institute of Leadership website to learn more.
