ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study examined barriers to nursing leadership and succession planning needs for nurse leaders in Florida. BACKGROUND: The Florida Action Coalition responded to the call to prepare and enable nurses to lead change to advance health, through a grant supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Florida Blue Foundation. METHODS: This is a nurse leader subset of a 56-item statewide survey of actively licensed RNs and advanced RN practitioners in Florida conducted via a cross-sectional, exploratory descriptive research design. RESULTS: Key findings included a description of leadership competencies, barriers, and succession planning practices. Florida nurse leaders are aging and less diverse than the general population and report limited utilization of succession planning by their organizations. CONCLUSIONS: In Florida, attention must be directed to resources and strategies to develop skilled nurse leaders and plan succession.