Like all areas of our society, health care is being significantly impacted by rapid technological and social change. If nursing is to take a leadership role in managing this change so as to optimize health care in the emerging system, nurses need to possess the necessary characteristics and skills to be successful change agents, or leaders of change.

The primary purpose of this qualitative study was to identify common characteristics of nurse change agents, thereby developing the foundation for an operational definition of a change agent. This information could be used by nursing education to plan appropriate learning experiences to facilitate preparation of change agents, by nursing service in the selection of people to fill change agent roles, and by individuals aspiring to be change agents to prepare themselves for this role.

The study sample consisted of fifty non-managerial nurses from seven hospitals who, through a nomination process, had been identified as change agents within their work settings. Data were collected through structured interviews.

The sample contained thirty-three baccalaureate graduates, eight associate degree graduates, and nine diploma graduates. Data showed the typical nurse change agent to be a baccalaureate graduate with six-to-fifteen years of experience, who works on day shift. The person is actively involved in continuing education and has a history of work experience prior to nursing, organizational involvement and leadership experiences beginning in childhood years, and committee involvement in the workplace. In addition, a list of thirty-six frequently cited characteristics was developed. Heading this list were the abilities to assess and plan; anticipate consequences; make decisions in a timely manner; take risks appropriately; prioritize; delegate; be articulate, influential, and persuasive; get others involved; develop and maintain networks; use formal and informal systems; and demonstrate effective conflict and confrontation skills. An attempt to compare associate degree nurses and baccalaureate degree nurses on these characteristics was not feasible due to the disparate numbers in the two groups. Finally, information was gained about environmental factors which facilitate or hinder change attempts.