Are You the BestLeader You Can Be?

j Susan B. Hassmiller, PhD, RN, FAAN

If you are a nurse, you can call yourself a leader.each one of you! Whether you are a student nurse,a staff nurse, a nurse manager, or are currently

serving at the executive level, you are a leader. You ed-ucate patients and families and you advocate on theirbehalf; you collaborate and negotiate with physiciansand pharmacists and administrators; you performyour tasks with precision; you provide compassion atevery turn. You touch lives and sometimes you evensave lives. You have one of the most important jobsin the world. In all that you do, however, are you thebest leader you can be?

Opportunities exist to sharpen the many skills nursesneed to be better leaders. The tough parts are knowingwhere to find these opportunities and having the driveto take up the challenge of these opportunities. TheRobert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation’s larg-est philanthropy dedicated exclusively to improvinghealth and health care, is devoting substantial resourcestoward making hospital nurses’ jobs more effective andmore satisfying and toward addressing nursing issuesmore broadly by fostering nurse leadership at all levels.The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation believes thesechanges will help retain experienced nurses, alleviatingthe nursing shortage affecting so many U.S. communi-ties and improving the overall quality of patient careand outcomes. As part of these efforts, the Foundationhas researched a list of nurse leadership programs (seeTable 1) that may be of interest to you.

You owe it to yourselfdand to the patientsdtohone your skills to a higher level. You can play

Susan Hassmiller is Senior Program Officer and nursing leader, TheRobert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Address reprint request to Susan B. Hassmiller, PhD, RN, FAAN,Senior Program Officer and nursing team leader, The Robert WoodJohnson Foundation. E-mail: mkatz4pr@verizon.net

J Radiol Nurs 2006;25:19-22

1546-0843/$32.00

Copyright � 2006 by the American Radiological Nurses Association.

doi: 10.1016/j.jradnu.2006.01.006

VOLUME 25 ISSUE 1 www.radiology

a role in creating the safest and best care around. Todo so, however, you must keep increasing your knowl-edge level, expanding your decision-making capabil-ities, and improving your skills in all areas, includingclinical and administrative. Providing hands-on carefor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week has placed nursesin the unique position of gaining insights that can ben-efit the highest levels of leadership in hospitals. Nursescan offer substantive ideas about how care can be im-proved, how care environments might be safer, how thecontinuum of care might be smoother, how to bettereducate the next generation of students, and in generalhow to create a better health care system for all.

To make use of their insights about improving care,nurses need to have their voices heard. Whether it is onthe boards of health care organizations, serving asa unit manager, or teaching in a school of nursing,nurses must find a way first to develop their skills tocommunicate their vision. Second, they must learn tohelp plan strategically to turn vision into action. It takesnegotiation, team building skills, an understanding ofand appreciation for measurement, and evidence-based care, an understanding of the politics and policiesbehind creating change. Leadership calls for a drive tomentor and empower others.

Pathways to leadership are diverse. For many, it isimportant to seek higher levels of education such asthe BSN, MSN, and PhD. For some, it is importantto take advantage of classes and seminars at work orbecome certified in a specialty area. Finally, for othersit is important to reach way beyond their workplaceand even their local institutions of higher educationand apply for any number of leadership opportunitiesnationwide.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s matrix ofleadership opportunities provides nurses at all levelsa way to make a difference in their own lives, in thelives of patients, and in the health care system at large.The opportunities exist; nurses just need to step for-ward to take advantage of them. It is nurses’ time tolead with confidence and the requisite skills. Reviewthe matrix to determine what might be right for you.

19nursing.org

Table 1. Leadership Development Opportunities Paid and/or Subsidized Programs

Eligibility and Special Notes

icants must live and work in California.

cipants must move to an assigned national or

ernational site.

cipants must move to the Boston area and have a

onsoring organization.

icants must be from minority groups.

icants must be from minority groups.

cipants must move to the Washington, DC area.

cipants remain in their jobs while completing the

lowship.

icants must be chief nursing officers; candidates’

Os/COOs must attend the Executive Forum at the

nclusion of the program.

icants must be members of AAN and/or IOM.

plications must include a statement of full-time

mmitment to the program.

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Program Program Description

California HealthCare Foundation Health Care

Leadership Program

Center for Health Care Professions, San Francisco, CA

(415) 476-7081; http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/futureleaders

2 years; for clinicians interested in becoming health care

system leaders.

Appl

Tuition and lodging are covered.

The Epidemic Intelligence Service Program

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA

(888) 496-8347; www.cdc.gov/eis/

2 years; for health care professionals seeking epidemiologic

training related to public health.

Parti

int

Qualifications and experience influence salary.

George W. Merck Fellowship Program

Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Boston, MA

(617) 301-4800; www.ihi.org

1 year; for health care organizations and their nominees

who are committed to advancing quality improvement

and practice.

Parti

sp

Stipend included.

Clinical Research Post-Doctoral Fellowship

ANA, Silver Spring, MD (301) 628-5247; www.ana.org/emfp/

fellowships/post.htm

1 year; intended to promote clinical workforce diversity and

expertise in substance abuse and mental health disorders.

Appl

Stipend based on years of service.

Clinical Research Pre-Doctoral Fellowship

ANA, Silver Spring, MD (301) 628-5247; www.ana.org/emfp/

fellowships/pre.htm

3e5 years; for master’s-level nurses pursuing doctorate on

minority mental health and substance abuse.

Appl

Annual stipend and tuition assistance.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy

Fellowships

Institute of Medicine, Washington, DC (202) 334-1506;

www.iom.edu/rwj

3 years; for mid-career health professionals in academic or

community settings to acquire knowledge in health policy.

Parti

Stipend included.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive

Nurse Fellows Program

Center for the Health Professions, San Francisco, CA

(415) 502-6451; http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Program/rwj/

3 years; for senior executive nurses seeking the experience

and skills necessary to be leaders in the health cares system.

Parti

fel

Each fellow’s individual learning activities are supported by

a leadership development account. Employers must

provide matching funds.

Johnson & JohnsoneWharton Fellows Program in

Management for Nurse Executives

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (215) 573-3804;

www.executivefellows.net

3 weeks; management and leadership education for senior

nurse executives.

Appl

CE

coTuition, special events, and most meals are covered by

a Johnson & Johnson stipend.

IOM/ANF/AAN Scholar in Residence Program

Institute of Medicine, American Nurses Foundation, American

Academy of Nursing, Washington, DC (414) 287-0289;

www.aannet.org/opportunities/scholarinresidence/

iom_anf_aan.asp

1 year; for nurse leaders interested in leadership

opportunities in health policy.

Appl

Ap

coEach fellow receives $50,000 and IOM orientation costs.

Fee for Service Programs

African-American Leadership Program

pplicants must be African Americans in manager

positions.

pplicants may choose one of two sites.

50 discount for early registration.

pplicants may participate as mentors or mentees.

articipants must be members of Sigma Theta Tau.

letter of support is required from applicant’s

organization.

lass size is limited; apply at least 4 months

before session.

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Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, NC

(336) 545-2810; www.ccl.org/leadership/programs/

AALPOverview.aspx?pageIdZ782

5 days; for mid- to senior-level African American managers

wanting to explore career issues.

A

$6,200, including ground transportation to and from center,

materials, most meals.

Women’s Leadership Program

Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, NC; San Diego,

CA (336) 545-2810; www.ccl.org/leadership/programs/

WLPOverview.aspx?pageIdZ846

5 days; for mid- to senior-level female managers seeking to

examine leadership and work experiences.

A

$6,200, including ground transportation to center, program

materials, and most meals.

Aspiring Nurse Leaders II

The American Organization of Nurse Executives,

Scottsdale, AZ; www.aone.org/aone/edandcareer/

conferences_seminars.html

4 days; for staff nurses seeking to enhance leadership skills. $

$545 tuition for AONE members; $595 for non-members.

Room rate: $179.

Leadership Development Program

Center for Creative Leadership, Multiple sites

(336) 545-2810; http://www.ccl.org/leadership/programs/

LDPOverview.aspx?pageIdZ820

5 days; for mid- to senior-level managers who want to

strengthen leadership skills.

Prices vary depending on site and dates.

Chiron Mentoring Program

Sigma Theta Tau International, Indianapolis, IN

(317) 634-8171; www.nursingsociety.org/programs/chiron.html

1 year; for members of Sigma Theta Tau International to

build leadership and mentoring skills.

A

Each participant is responsible for securing financial

support to cover all program expenses. Participants are

responsible for transportation, lodging, and some meals

associated with the institute.

OMADA Board Leadership Development Program

Sigma Theta Tau International, Indianapolis, IN (317) 634-8171;

www.nursingsociety.org/programs/omada_main.html

2 years; for nurses interested in serving on national and

international boards.

P

$795 fee for mentees.

Cultural Competence Leadership Fellowship

Health Research and Educational Trust/American Hospital

Association, Chicago, IL (312) 422-2610; www.hret.org/

hret/about/cclf.html

1 year; for health care leaders interested in issues

surrounding care of racial and ethnic minorities and how

their institutions can better respond to community health

needs.

A

Teams pay $16,000 per Fellow. Individuals pay $18,000 per

Fellow. Full and partial scholarships may be available.

Though individuals are encouraged to apply, preference will

be given to teams.

Executive Development Program

The Wharton School, Philadelphia, PA (800) 255-3932, ext. 1408;

http://executiveeducation.wharton.upenn.edu/

course.cfm?ProgramZEDP#315

2 weeks; for managers seeking the skills necessary to take on

leadership roles within their organizations.

C

$19,500 tuition fee.

Table 1. Continued

Eligibility and Special Notes

cants must document employer support via

ncial subsidy.

ipants are housed on Harvard’s campus.

ing can be arranged at participant’s facility.

ng costs are $239 for single and $264 for

ble for reservations made before Feb. 8, 2006.

l scholarships are available for participants

the nonprofit sector.

ipants in this program work in mentee/mentor

s at applicant’s institution. International

ses are encouraged to apply and should call

17) 634-7575 for more information.

lications are due by February 2006.

ipants can earn graduate credits or Continuing

cation Units.

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Program Program Description

MLE: Institute for Management and Leadership Education

Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA

(800) 545-1849; http://www.gse.harvard.edu/ppe/highered/

index.html

2 weeks; for senior academic administrators to learn new

approaches to teaching and learning.

Appli

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$5,500 tuition fee, which includes room, most meals, and all

instructional materials.

Management Development Program

Harvard Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA

(800) 545-1849; http://www.gse.harvard.edu/ppe/highered/

index.html

2 weeks; for professionals in mid-level management

positions.

Partic

$5,500 tuition fee includes room, most meals, and all

instructional materials. Some financial aid is available.

Nurse Manager Boot Camp

Cross Country University, Boca Raton, FL (888) 683-4277;

www.crosscountryeducation.com/cce/conferences/

bootcamp/index.jsp

5 days; an intensive training and skill-building course. Train

$2,995 per individual. Discounts offered to groups of

enrollees.

Nurse in Washington Internship

Nursing Organizations Alliance, Washington, DC

(859) 514-9157; www.nursing-alliance.org/niwi.cfm

5 days; for nurses seeking to influence health care through

legislative and regulatory processes.

Housi

dou

$675 for members of the Nursing Organizations Alliance.

$775 for nonmembers.

National Student Nurses’ Association members pay $450

Non-members pay $550

*These prices apply to those who register before Jan. 27,

2006.

Strategic Leadership for Women

Simmons Graduate School of Management

Boston, MA (617) 521-3843, www.simmons.edu/som/

execed/open-enrollment/strategic.shtml

5 days; for women professionals seeking skills necessary to

become influential leaders in their organizations.

Partia

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$5,400 fee covers room, board, and instructional materials.

2006-07 Nursing Leadership Academy: Nurses Investing in

Maternal-Child Health

Sigma Theta Tau, Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute,

L.L.C., Indianapolis, IN (888) 634-7575 (US/Canada);

www.nursingsociety.org/programs/mch.html

18 months; for all maternal-child health nurses whose

practice in service, administration, education, or research

includes the health of mothers and children.

Partic

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$300 registration fee covers mentee/mentor registration.

Workshops, hotel rooms, and meals will be provided at

no cost to participants.

Washington Health Policy Institute

George Mason University, Fairfax, VA (703) 993-1959;

www.gmu.edu/departments/chpre/policyinstitute/

home_whpi.html

5 days; for health care professionals, health organization

staff, association staff, health scholars, policy scholars,

educators, policy analysts, congressional staff, interest

group members, and those interested in learning about

how health policy is made.

Partic

Edu

$900e$1,200 fee.

Reprinted with permission from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.