The relationship between managerial coaching and role ambiguity among nurses in the military health system

Managerial coaching may be an effective strategy to reduce role ambiguity among nurses. Although the benefits of coaching relationships have been demonstrated outside of nursing, there is a lack of evidence about this career development relationship in nursing. A cross-sectional design was used to determine the relationship between managerial coaching and role ambiguity among military and civilian nurses who work in the Military Health System (MHS). Nurses who worked at a large academic medical center in San Antonio, Texas were asked to participate by completing a survey to examine the variables of interest. Among the 382 nurses that responded, perceived role ambiguity was low and managerial coaching was seldom perceived from first-line supervisors. However, there was a significant negative relationship between managerial coaching and role ambiguity. This study provides foundational knowledge about the relationship between managerial coaching and role ambiguity for nurses working in the MHS. •There is a lack of nursing literature on whether managerial coaching reduces role ambiguity.•Nurses seldom received coaching from their first-line supervisors in this study.•Despite low levels of role ambiguity reported by nurses, any experience could be important.•Perceptions of managerial coaching correlate with decreased role ambiguity perceptions.•Managerial coaching should be an expected part of performance management to reduce role ambiguity.