Which statement best describes the nurse manager's role?

• A. Guide, direct, and motivate others
• B. The manager is responsible and accountable for helping the organization achieve its goals. Using these functions, the manager's job is to coordinate and integrate resources.
• C. Intervene when goals are threatened
• D. Direct willing and unwilling subordinates

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that a nurse manager is accountable for helping the organization reach its goals by coordinating and integrating resources. A manager translates organizational goals into action by planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling to align people, processes, and materials with those goals. Being responsible and accountable means answers are owed to the organization for outcomes, quality, safety, and efficiency, not just directing people or reacting only when things go wrong. The statement that emphasizes accountability alongside coordinating and integrating resources best captures what the nursing manager does. While guiding and motivating others are part of leadership, and intervening or directing subordinates can occur, those aspects don’t fully describe the comprehensive managerial role focused on ensuring the organization achieves its goals through coordinated use of resources.