Organizational Support for Nurse Manager Role Transition and Onboarding Strategies for Success

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to provide guidance on supportive nurse manager role transition practices. BACKGROUND The nurse manager role is increasingly more complex and the workforce is increasingly less experienced. Wide variation in nurse manager role transition exists among organizations. Nurse managers are commonly hired without requisite knowledge and are expected to learn through experience. METHODS A mixed-methods approach was used to identify current and ideal organizational practices supporting the role transition of novice nurse managers. RESULTS Effective role transition of new nurse managers begins with human resource policies that encourage graduate preparation for nurse managers. A supportive transition program includes didactic education for knowledge development and coaching of novice nurse managers in the application of new knowledge to clinical practice experiences. Rigorous program evaluation is recommended for sustainability. CONCLUSION Nurse managers are the linchpins of organizations. Organizational leaders need to support their role transition for the success of the organization.