ABSTRACT
AIM: There is far little evidence available on nursing managers' experiences during this global crisis. This systematic review aimed to provide the first comprehensive summary of the findings of published studies describing data concerning nursing managers' experiences of the COVID-19 outbreak. DESIGN: Studies published between January 2019 and the end of December 2021 were retrieved from CINAHL, Medline and PubMed databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement was used to guide the search methodology. METHODS: In total, 14 relevant articles were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools and subjected to thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Our findings revealed five main themes describing nursing managers' experiences: an expanding and changing role, ensuring the well-being of staff, communication, support received, development and learning. Nursing managers found the task of operational management confusing, as objectives have been constantly changing as the pandemic has progressed. The results should be used in preparation for future crises similar to the COVID-19 pandemic.