The psychological impact of the head nurse manager in transition: organizational roles for minimizing stress.

The role of the head nurse continues to expand within the contemporary health care system, and the impact of that role will seriously affect the financial viability of health care organizations. Therefore, it is apparent that these organizations must reevaluate this role in relationship to its goals and objectives. They must also adopt strategies to select the appropriate individual for the particular job and provide sufficient training for successful management behaviors. The organization that expects its novice managers to hit the ground running must prepare these managers to clear the high hurdles, endure the marathons, and sprint to the finish line.