Managing in Critical Care Settings: A Qualitative Study of South African Nurse Unit Managers and the Psychological Contract

INTRODUCTION: Little is written about the management of psychological contracts by nurse unit managers (NUMs) in critical care settings and how this perspective contributes to the performance, experiences, and views of nurses and nursing teams. Psychological contracts are important regulators of the employer–employee relationship, with managers (NUMs) being the embodiment of the employer in managing the contract. OBJECTIVES: This qualitative study answers a call for research on the NUM perspective of the psychological contract given the role they play in the wellbeing of critical care nurses and quality of care provided. The study aims to understand the expectations and obligations that constitute the psychological contract NUMs have with their nursing teams, the nature of the contract, and how NUMs practically manage these aspects on their teams. METHODS: Using an interpretive qualitative research design and a purposive sampling technique, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 of the 14 NUMs from a public health facility about critical incidents relating to their obligations and expectations of managing critical care nurses. RESULTS: A thematic analysis of their responses revealed five main themes that represent the contents of their psychological contracts with critical care nurses: professional commitment and obligation; leading by example; trust and support; teamwork; and on-the-job training and further development. In their discussion of these components, the NUMs also revealed how they manage the psychological contract with nurses. CONCLUSION: Based on the expectations and obligations NUMs hold with their staff, their psychological contracts were found to be largely relational, with elements of the balanced type, suggesting that they rely on interpersonal connection and coordination, as well as knowledge dissemination, to uphold the contract. This contract appears to be effective in inculcating the commitment of nurses to their profession and professional standards through the building of trust and offering of support. However, recommendations are offered to ensure NUMs are best prepared to sustain these psychological contracts and continue to support nurse wellbeing and related patient care.