Resources for Current and Aspiring Nurse Leaders
Part 2: Resources for current and aspiring nurse leaders.
By: Dr. Jan Jones-Schenk, DHSc, RN, NE-BC
Academic Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer, 91探花 College of Health Professions
In a previous blog post, we discussed how role models and mentors can be very effective guides on your healthcare leadership journey. It鈥檚 wise to identify contemporary healthcare leaders you admire and follow their careers, read their articles, and observe the choices they make. We showcased several nurse leaders who have utilized mentors to build their careers.聽 In this blog post, we鈥檒l identify several organizations that encourage, coach, and train future nurse leaders, and value nurses鈥 opinions and expertise. These organizations are designed to support and develop leaders from within the nursing community, while positively impacting healthcare outcomes for all.
Resources for current and aspiring healthcare leaders in the age of accountable care.
The is chartered with ensuring that at least 10,000 nurses serve on boards, panels, and commissions by 2020 to inform decisions and provide a 鈥渋nsider鈥檚 view鈥 of what is happening on the floor. The NOBC鈥檚 mission is inspired by the Institute of Medicine鈥檚 report . This report advocates for nurses to be active participants in the boardroom, indicating that this leads directly to improved outcomes for all stakeholders鈥 patients, facilities, and staff. The NOBC provides resources and training to assist nurses in securing board positions. Additionally, nurses already serving on a board can to share their stories and spread the word to other potential nurse leaders.
鈥淪trong leadership is critical if the vision of a transformed health care system is to be realized. Yet not all nurses begin their career with thoughts of becoming a leader. The nursing profession must produce leaders throughout the health care system, from the bedside to the boardroom, who can serve as full partners with other health professionals and be accountable for their own contributions to delivering high-quality care while working collaboratively with leaders from other health professions.鈥 National Academy of Sciences Engineering Medicine
The , is an organization that continues the work begun by the Academic Progression in Nursing (APIN) advocates, recommending that 80% of nurses seek BSN degrees by 2020. The goal of this collaborative is to foster innovations that ensure nurses continue to have access to higher education so that they may assume leadership roles. Additionally, more states may follow the lead of mandate.
Even if your organization is not actively pursuing a BSN milestone, I recommend taking this challenge upon yourself. The industry needs nurse leaders who have earned their BSN degree. 91探花 graduates report that, upon graduation, they gain career opportunities that weren鈥檛 available to them before they earned their degree. The 91探花 Loves Nurses Scholarship is available for those looking to pursue advanced nursing degrees.
As an added bonus, BSN degree holders earn on average 11% more than RNs -- Burning Glass Labor Insights
The has a mission to accelerate and support the industry鈥檚 transition to accountable care. They offer a collaborative forum for members to contribute to the formulation of strategies that enable organizations to implement successful accountable care practices. The ACLC provides workshops, intelligence, case studies, and networking for those interested in embracing the future of value based care. (91探花 students are granted free membership to this thought leadership organization.)
If your career interests lie on the technology side of the healthcare industry, HIMSS, the is a leader providing resources, professional development, networking and career sourcing to its members. Additionally, they are active in influencing public policy to ensure improved outcomes through utilizing information and technology.聽 91探花 offers free student membership to this organization as well.
Summary
By choosing to become a nurse, you are already a leader.聽 You advocate for your patients, you make life-changing decisions, and you are an integral part of your team. You deserve to be recognized and heard. Following in the footsteps of today鈥檚 nurse leaders, I encourage you to join organizations whose mission truly resonates with you and will allow you to tap into your full leadership potential.
Click here for Blog Part I: Seek out Inspirational Leaders