Final answer:
Designating the assignment of new admissions indicates a nurse is a first-line nurse manager, as this task is associated with managing immediate and operational aspects of patient care.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are three levels of management in nursing which typically consist of first-line nurse managers, middle-level nurse managers, and upper-level nurse managers. First-line nurse managers are those who provide direct supervision of patient care and typically work on the front lines of patient service. Meanwhile, middle-level nurse managers and upper-level nurse managers are more likely to be involved in wide-scale policy development and long-term strategic planning.
Designating the assignment of new admissions is an action that would indicate a nurse is functioning as a first-line nurse manager. This responsibility involves managing the immediate, operational concerns of a nursing unit, including the delegation of patients to staff nurses based on a considered assessment of patient needs and staff workload.
By contrast, actions like deciding to incorporate walking rounds shift reports hospital-wide or reevaluating nursing policies reflect broader strategic decision-making typically associated with higher levels of nursing management.