Many of our clients come to us because they want to develop their in-house nursing leadership. They have tried without success to recruit strong Nurse Managers and Nursing Leaders, and have determined that it is more cost effective and better for the long-term success of the organization to develop leaders from within.
One way to develop in-house leadership is with a Nurse Leadership Academy.
The program includes the following elements:
1. Selection of high-potential candidates. Many hospitals start with the existing Nurse Managers to create a common language and way of thinking about leadership. Then they involve a second group of high-potential Assistant Nurse Managers and Staff Nurses.
2. Initial welcome, orientation, and content delivery. A two or three day retreat grounds participants in the key elements of being a successful leader in the hospital. At the same time, participants choose ambitious goals to improve quality, service, and cost at the organization. Note that time must be reserved to prepare for this retreat. For instance, we will assess an organization in order to tailor our existing Nurse Manager’s Performance Leadership Program to the specific needs of the organization. Also, we will work with leadership to determine key areas for improvement.
3. Monthly follow up meetings to discuss progress on goals, hear presentations from hospital leadership (e.g., a board member might discuss the role of the board), and learn additional content.
4. Ongoing one-on-one coaching as needed.
5. A formal graduation after a year.
Once a hospital institutes this kind of program, it can expand it to other leaders in the organization, and also begin developing an internal cadre of coaches and mentors.
For a relatively small investment, a Nurse Leadership Academy can make a huge difference in recruiting, retaining, and developing staff — and in improving results and morale.
