Nurse manager orientation: guidelines to meet the challenge of a rapidly changing role

A management development program at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore addresses the competency needs of 68 nurse managers. Orientation of new nurse managers is a significant component of the program. The orientation is based on performance standards and identification of organizational resources and opportunities to assist the managers to meet the standards. A convenience sample of 10 nurse managers, assistant directors, and directors of nursing reviewed the program 1 year after implementation and found it had improved the quality of orientation by providing structure and organization. The model can be applied to other institutions and practice roles.