Sustaining Nursing Leadership Through Succession Planning in Saudi Arabia: An Ongoing Journey Towards Excellence

Adel Harb^1, and Mohammed Al Bazroun²

¹Group Manager, Nursing Professional Development, Research and Evidence Based Practice, EHC

²Manager, Nursing Professional Development, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahad Hospital, EHC

Cite this paper:
Adel Harb and Mohammed Al Bazroun. Sustaining Nursing Leadership Through Succession Planning in Saudi Arabia: An Ongoing Journey Towards Excellence. American Journal of Nursing Research. 2025; 13(2):32-39. doi: 10.12691/ajnr-13-2-3

Abstract

Succession planning is crucial for nursing to sustain leadership and ensure the continuity of effective healthcare management and high-quality patient care This research aims to assess the perspectives of participants regarding the succession plan initiative, its influence on leadership capabilities, and its role in enhancing career advancement prospects. Methodology: The study uses a qualitative descriptive research design to investigate whether a succession plan educational program previously implemented has been effective in developing nursing leadership competency. Analysis/ Results: The qualitative analysis revealed three main themes that emerged from the focus group data: career opportunities, personal perceptions, and value of the succession plan program. Recommendations: There is strong need to continue the succession planning programs as it will support nurse leaders career progression for promotion or strengthening capabilities through mentorship and competencies as healthcare systems continue to evolve, organizations must prioritize succession planning to secure a stable and competent nursing leadership pipeline. Limitations: Despite the triangulation methodology that was used for reliability and validity, the study relied on self-reported perceptions, potentially introducing personal biases. Another limitation is related to the sample size. the response rate was only 22.5 % that could impact its generalizability. The small sample size of nine participants means findings may not fully represent all nursing staff within the EHC. Furthermore, as the research was conducted within one specific healthcare cluster, its findings might not fully apply to other healthcare settings or regions. There is thus a requirement for further studies to be conducted in this nursing population in Saudi Arabia which is currently under-researched. Conclusion: The study highlights the positive role structured succession planning programs play in fostering capable and motivated nurse leaders in Saudi Arabia. Continued investment in leadership training, effective mentorship, and strong organizational support is critical for sustaining leadership growth that can help healthcare organizations building a robust leadership pipeline, ultimately improving patient care quality and organizational effectiveness. The impact of succession Planning programs provide an effective strategy to support Nurse Leaders professional development and has a positive impact on job satisfaction. However, further research should explore the long-term impact of succession planning on nursing leadership and patient care outcomes.

Keywords:
Nursing Leadership Succession Planning Sustaining Saudi Arabia

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