Analysing Nurse Talent Management: A 6-Year Study Before and During COVID-19 Using the McKinsey 9-Box Matrix

Purpose – Talent management plays a pivotal role in shaping the quality and efficacy of health care organizations, with particular significance in nursing. Aims(s) – This research delves into the assessment of talent management for nurses, using the McKinsey 9-Box Matrix, both pre- and post COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach – Employing a retrospective design spanning six years, this study encompasses 1319 nurses evaluated using the McKinsey 9-Box Matrix. This method involves performance and potential evaluations, incorporating face-to-face interviews with the Directorate of Nursing Services executive team. Findings – Significant variations in nurse positions, department distributions, and educational backgrounds were observed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Noteworthy shifts in McKinsey 9-Box Matrix assessments indicated pandemic-induced changes in nurse categorization. Approximately one-third of nurses were classified as B2: Core Working Group, which is crucial for workforce stability. Gender did not yield significant differences in the McKinsey 9-Box Matrix evaluations. Although variations were noted in categories A1, A2, and B1 before and during COVID-19, employment status did not significantly impact these assessments. Limitations of the study – Findings aweredrawn from a private health care group, potentially limiting generalizability to diverse settings, populations, or contexts. Practical implications – This study provides invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of nursing during the pandemic. It illuminates shifts in education levels, positions, departments, leadership potential, and specific evaluation categories among nurses. Originality/value – Contributing significantly to the existing literature, this study provides a nuanced analysis of talent management practices among nurses. The insights garnered offer a fresh perspective, informing health care organizations’ ‘talent management strategies, especially considering the evolving health care landscape shaped by the pandemic.