Abstract

This study explores the perceptions of nurses regarding the delegation skills of nurse managers and examines how these perceptions relate to job empowerment and loyalty among nurses at Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon. Effective delegation is a critical management skill that impacts the efficiency of healthcare delivery, the empowerment of nursing staff, and their overall job satisfaction and loyalty. Understanding nurses’ views on how nurse managers delegate tasks can provide insights into improving managerial practices and enhancing the work environment.

The research adopts a descriptive correlational design, targeting nurses working in various departments of Buea Regional Hospital. Data were collected through structured questionnaires that assessed nurses’ perceptions of their managers’ delegation skills, including clarity of instructions, fairness in task distribution, and the level of autonomy granted to nurses. Additionally, the study measured job empowerment and loyalty, focusing on factors such as job satisfaction, sense of value within the team, and commitment to the organization.

Preliminary findings reveal that nurses generally perceive their managers’ delegation skills as moderate, with room for improvement in areas such as transparency, consistency, and support during task execution. The study also identifies a significant positive relationship between perceived delegation skills and job empowerment, suggesting that when nurses feel trusted and appropriately empowered through effective delegation, their job satisfaction and sense of loyalty to the hospital increase.

The research highlights the need for training programs that enhance nurse managers’ delegation skills, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, equitable task distribution, and the empowerment of nursing staff. By fostering a more empowering work environment, the study aims to contribute to higher levels of job satisfaction and loyalty among nurses, ultimately leading to improved patient care and organizational efficiency at Buea Regional Hospital.

Keywords
Delegation skills, nurse managers, job empowerment, loyalty, nurses, Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon, healthcare management, job satisfaction.