ABSTRACT
Training needs assessment is essential for planning educational activities for head nurses. This study aim was to identify managerial training needs assessment for head nurses working at ministry of health hospital. This was to be achieved through assessment of the points of view of head nurses. The study was conducted on 139 head nurses working in l4 general hospitals affiliated to the ministry of health in 14 govemorates in Egypt. Data collection was done through a self-administered questionnaire to assess training needs in administrative and managerial tasks, as well as their preferences for training. The results demonstrated that only 39.6% of the head nurses attended training courses in administration. There was a high agreement upon all head nurses tasks proposed. The training topics mostly needed were time management [65.5%] and informatics [64.0%]. Half or more of the head nurses preferred five courses per year, with seven days duration, five daily working hours, during work time, and out side the workplace, with pre-post testing, and nomination for courses to be based on pre-set criteria, and the lecture was the most preferred teaching method. These preferences differ among different governorates and according to head nurse qualification. Therefore it is recommended to develop a plan for training nurse managers in administration and management, taking into account their expressed needs and preferences. Periodic assessment of training needs should be conducted to update needs and preferences