Aust Crit Care
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The number of patients requiring admission into intensive care units (ICUs) is increasing worldwide. Concurrently, recruitment and retention of the ICU nursing workforce is becoming a major challenge due to the high intensity environment, heavy workloads, and decreasing nurse wellbeing. Nurse unit managers play a vital role in promoting and supporting ICU nurse wellbeing, yet little is known about perceptions and experiences of this role. ⋯ Nurse unit manager behaviours clearly affect the wellbeing of ICU nurses. However, the role of supporting ICU nurses is complex and challenging. More research is needed to investigate the needs of ICU nurses and the facilitators and barriers nurse unit managers face when supporting the wellbeing of nurses in their unit.