Nurse Manager Succession Planning Evaluating a Pilot Program's Effect on Self-perception of Readiness

OBJECTIVE Perceived readiness to transition to nurse manager roles and demonstrated leadership behaviors were evaluated among participants in a nurse manager succession planning pilot cohort. BACKGROUND Equipping nurses within an organization with the leadership competencies to transition to the next role is essential as we face an impending nurse and nurse leader shortage. METHODS Quasi-experimental and correlational design methods were used to measure changes in readiness of nurses to enter nurse manager roles over a 90-day pilot. RESULTS Participants' perceived readiness to transition to nurse manager roles and demonstrated leadership behaviors increased between days 1 and 90 of the program. Statistically significant increases were attributed to their participation in the nurse manager succession planning pilot cohort. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to the literature regarding nurse manager succession planning. Further research should be conducted so that succession planning for nurse managers becomes not only achievable but also expected.