Developing a succession plan: the North Bronx Healthcare Network

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Leadership
• Organizational Development

Background:

• A nurse executive reflects on succession planning after significant departmental reorganization and successful Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) accreditation.
• The context includes navigating change within a large healthcare network and developing a leadership program for head nurses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive succession plan for a nursing department within a complex healthcare network.
• To address the challenges and personal considerations involved in creating a sustainable leadership pipeline.

Main Methods:

• The study involves a reflective process by a nurse executive, incorporating personal history and external definitions of succession planning.
• It examines the specific complications of planning within an established network with long-term employees.
• Steps for achieving the succession plan are outlined.

Main Results:

• The process involved defining succession planning from the executive's perspective, integrating it with organizational needs.
• Challenges related to employee loyalty and network structure were identified and addressed.
• A practical framework for implementing the succession plan was developed.

Conclusions:

• Successful succession planning requires a personalized approach, considering organizational history and network dynamics.
• The plan aims to ensure the continued flourishing and survival of the nursing department.
• Effective succession planning is crucial for leadership continuity in diverse healthcare systems.