The US healthcare system has undergone significant
reform. Changes in health law are forcing healthcare
organizations to examine how care is provided, how
patients are involved in their care, and the impact on
outcomes and safety. Implementation of the Affordable
Care Act1 is a driving factor for change and the
impetus for transparency, care coordination, and patient
engagement to improve health outcomes. As the
largest healthcare profession, nursing is at the forefront
of the care delivery system.2 Nurses can significantly
impact patient engagement.3 Nurse managers (NMs)
can influence care transition due to their unique position
as leaders who drive patient care activitiesV
reporting to nurse executives while directly managing
clinical nurses. With access to patients and families,
NMs are the Bchange agents[ who can transform the
care delivery system to one in which patients and
families are true partners with clinicians and providers.4
Nurse executives play a transformational
role, developing the structures and processes necessary
for NMs to be succ