Purpose: The purpose of this poster presentation is to showcase the NFLA through my experiences and perspectives within the domains of individual leadership development, team leadership project, and expansion of scope of influence within the organization, community, and profession.
Methods: The NFLA is an 18-month program with a curriculum designed to develop leadership behaviors of the scholar across three domains. Triad relationships and agreements are developed among each Scholar (Sara K. Kaylor, EdD, RN, CNE), Leadership Mentor (Mary Ellen Glasgow, Ph.D, RN, ACNS-BC, ANEF, FAAN), and Faculty Advisor (D. Anthony Forrester PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN). Leadership Observers are also called upon to more intimately observe the Scholar’s leadership behaviors within the Scholar’s organization and provide honest, constructive feedback.
Each NFLA Triad participates in two 3-day intensive workshops, during which the continued support of the Leadership Mentor and Faculty Advisor serve to discuss, guide, reflect, and re-direct the Scholar through leadership development within the three domains. Scholars also participate in monthly conference calls with other Scholars, Leadership Mentors, and Faculty Advisors; each conference call focuses on a topic related to leadership development and provides opportunity for discussion and reflection upon relating the topic to the three NFLA domains.
Theoretical Framework: The Kouzes & Posner’s (“K-P Model,” 2012) “Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership” model is used as a theoretical framework leadership development. A baseline assessment of the Scholar’s leadership strengths and weaknesses is conducted, and a year later, a reassessment is done to identify areas of leadership growth and development. The Kouzes & Posner (2012) leadership practices were also used to develop and implement a team leadership project aimed at advancing nursing education.
Results: Self-assessment tools, reflection skills, and feedback from the leadership triad and observers helped this Scholar navigate and grow within each of the three NFLA domains:
Individual Leadership Development: Using the K-P Model (2012) as a guide, a baseline assessment of the Scholar’s leadership strengths and weaknesses was conducted in March 2016; in March 2017, a reassessment was done to identify areas of leadership growth and development.
Team Leadership Project: As a team leadership project, the Scholar designed and implemented the “CCN Wellness Project” in August 2016 as a means for promoting opportunities for healthy living, learning, and working environments for all Capstone College of Nursing faculty, staff, and students.
Expansion of Scope of Influence: Using the CCN Wellness Project as a vehicle for leadership development, opportunities were also identified that led to the Scholar’s increased scope of influence within the organization, community, and profession.
Conclusions: The NFLA is an intensive experience that provides invaluable opportunities for leadership development among nurse faculty members. The design of the NFLA program and curriculum offers multi-faced support for the Scholar via peer and triad relationships, as well as the development of life-long behaviors that promote success in nurse faculty leaders of the future.