Supporting Healthy Nurse-to-Nurse Relationships as Experienced Nurses Transition to New Clinical Specialties

Nurses interact with a variety of healthcare professionals, including fellow nurses, as part of day-to-day practice. Nurse-to-nurse relationships are an area of concern due to their impact on patient, nurse, and organizational outcomes. Though nursing connections and issues occur across the practice spectrum, there is a focus on newly licensed professionals. However, experienced nurses also struggle with nurse-to-nurse relationship issues as they transition from one clinical specialty to another. There is a lack of literature that addresses transitions for this population. Thus, nurses may be ill-prepared to recognize challenges and support healthy nursing relationships and beneficial work environments. This article discusses challenges faced by experienced nurses and offers strategies to support healthy nurse-to-nurse relationships during the transition to new clinical specialties. Nurses, including formal and informal leaders, peers, and individuals transitioning to new specialties, must assess and acknowledge, make individualized plans, and promote positive spaces to support nursing relationships, work environments, and outcomes.