Experiences of nurse managers in implementing discipline among staff nurses

Abstract

Nurse managers (NMs) often encounter emotional, professional, and structural challenges when implementing staff discipline, usually without formal training. This descriptive qualitative study explored the experiences, motivations, challenges, and strategies of six nurse managers purposively sampled from a private hospital in Iloilo City. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Five major themes emerged: “Challenges in Diversity", highlighting intergenerational conflict; "Collective Wisdom", emphasizing peer mentorship; "Drive to Discipline", rooted in patient safety; "Emotion-Driven", underscoring emotional intelligence; and "Value of Structure", stressing timely, transparent, and consistent institutional support. The findings confirm that effective discipline is a developmental process that requires adaptive leadership and consistent procedural justice. Organizational investment in managerial training, emotional support, and clear institutional structures is crucial for empowering NMs to foster a resilient and accountable workplace culture, thereby improving care management.