Objective: The objectives of this study were to explore the perceptions of clinical nurse team leaders concerning safe patient transition and to identify strategies that could facilitate this process.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive design was used to obtain the phenomenon. A convenience sample of twelve clinical nurse team leaders included nurse team leaders and assistant nurse term leaders. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data.

Findings: “Balancing the system’s demands with the needs of the individual patients” and “Strategies that facilitate the safe transition process” are the two main themes ^[1]. The first one was identified as the core theme, and the second one detailed the approached used by nurse leaders to deal with the dilemmas. Findings from this study suggest that clinical nurse team leaders who are the core roles in the unit and are focused on balancing the demands of the system with the patients’ individual needs are constantly facilitating safe patient transitions in spite of the lack of resources and the many challenges associated with managing in a complex health care system.

Conclusion:

1. Clinical nurse team leaders are pivotal in this process

2. Safe patient transitions require the involvement of clinical nurse team leaders, staff nurses and physicians

3. Communication and collaboration act key to improving safe patient transitions

4. Standard transition processes make the transition safer and more efficiency