OBJECTIVE: The aim of the research was to identify managerial competencies developed in nursing management distance learning specialization course, based on the responses of students who completed the course. METHODS: This was an exploratory, transversal study using a quantitative approach, with a convenience sample of 197 graduates of the first Course was conducted in eight cities within three Brazilian regions, between may and July 2009. Transcripts were analyzed using an established Brazilian theoretical framework for nursing managerial competencies. RESULTS: Participants cited 274 competencies, and identified 14 primary managerial competencies. Leadership was most frequently cited, followed by communication, knowledge acquisition and teamwork. CONCLUSION: This study identified 14 essential nursing managerial competencies for practice, and indicated a strong potential for distance learning as an educational tool to improve professional qualifications.
Nursing; Education, nursing; Nursing education research; Education, distance; Competency-based education
