Succession planning for RNs: implementing a nurse management internship

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Leadership
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• The pervasive nursing shortage creates a complex and stressful work environment for nurse managers.
• High nurse manager turnover rates pose a significant challenge to healthcare organizations.
• Effective succession planning is crucial to mitigate the impact of turnover and ensure leadership continuity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an evidence-based, theoretically driven nurse management internship program.
• To provide a pathway for staff nurses to explore the nurse manager role.
• To address the critical need for succession planning in nursing management.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of a nurse management internship.
• Utilizing evidence-based practices and established management theories.
• Structured exploration of nurse manager responsibilities for staff nurses.

Main Results:

• The internship provides a viable model for preparing future nurse managers.
• Staff nurses gain practical insights into the nurse manager role.
• The program supports proactive succession planning efforts.

Conclusions:

• Nurse management internships are effective for succession planning.
• Such programs can help alleviate the impact of the nursing shortage on leadership.
• Investing in internal development is key to retaining nursing leadership talent.