Clinical nurse managers can improve services to patients and clients if they move away from 'coping management' and take a more strategic approach. This new publication, based on the work of the King's Fund Nursing Development Units (NDUs), highlights the experiences of nurses, users, doctors and managers from eight NDUs around the UK. Out of these case studies comes the recognition that nurses must acknowledge and use their own capabilities as managers to achieve beneficial and long-lasting change in their organisations.