We aimed to investigate the current situation of management ability of head nurses in Beijing secondary general hospitals and analyze the influencing factors.

In this study, the convenient sampling method was used. From May to September 2017, the head nurses of 20 secondary hospitals in Beijing were selected as the research subjects. The self-designed Head Nurse's Management Ability Questionnaire was used to investigate the head nurse's management knowledge status, nursing manager management skills, leadership practice, and professional attitude. A total of 260 questionnaires were distributed in this study, and 246 valid questionnaires were returned. The response rate was 94.6%.

The management knowledge score of 246 head nurses in the secondary general hospital was (89.98±12.84) , the management skill score was (165.91±16.22) , the leadership score was (195.48±32.35) , and the occupational attitude score was (5.47±0.82) , the overall score of the management level (500.68±48.60) . Logistic regression analysis showed that working years were the main influencing factors affecting management knowledge. Education and working years were the main influencing factors of management skills. The years in head nurse positions and the participation in management classes were the main factors affecting leadership, and attending management classes and being management professional members were the main influencing factors of professional attitude.

The level of management ability of head nurses in the secondary general hospitals is uneven. The hospital administrators should establish a scientific and well-rounded training system for nurses according to the current situation of the head nurses' management ability and the characteristics of the secondary general hospitals, in order to constantly improve the management ability and ensure medical care quality.

Nursing, supervisory; Head nurse; Management ability; Influencing factor; Secondary general hospital