Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research1735-9066231201712256670ENDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University Bangkok, ThailandDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University Bangkok, ThailandDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University Bangkok, ThailandDepartment of Nursing, Akademi Keperawatan Pemerintah Kabupaten, Belitung, Indonesia2017122520171225<p> <strong>Background:  </strong>Designated  roles  of  first‑line  nurse  managers  (FLNMs)  are  very  complex,  this  study  aimed  to  develop  a  deeper understanding  of  their  meaningful  lived  experiences. </p><p><strong>Materials  and  Methods:  </strong>This  study  employed  a  phenomenological  study  using  semi‑structured  interviews  with  FLNMs  <em>(n  </em>=  7)  at  the  General  Hospital  of  Belitung,  Indonesia.  The  data  analysis  was  thematic.</p><p> <strong>Results:  </strong>Four  major  themes were  identified  from  the  analysis  of  textual  data:  Feeling  extraordinary,  the  inability  to  do,  desire  to leave  the  unit,  and  influenced  by  work  motivation.  The  findings  of  this  study  revealed  the  positive and negative  experiences  of  becoming  FLNMs.  The  positive  experiences  were  related  to  the  feeling challenged  and  extraordinary  to  deal  with  many  roles  in  management  and  leadership.  The  negative experiences  included  personal  conflict  related  to  the  desire  to  leave  the  unit,  and  feeling  unable  to manage.  However,  the  works  of  FLNMs  were  influenced  by  internal  and  external  motivation.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:  </strong>This  study  better  informs  nurse  executives  to  develop  competence  and  performance  of FLNMs,  and  keep  their  motivation  by  revising  performance  appraisal  system.</p>http://ijnmr.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijnmr/article/view/1514http://ijnmr.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijnmr/article/download/1514/1212