The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Master of Science (MSN) in Nursing Program at Michigan State University (MSU) College of Nursing (CON) is a highly ranked online graduate nursing program by the U.S. News and World Report since 2018. The program has had a first-time examination success rate of 100% since the start of the program in 2009. The CNS program is led by a new program director with over 10 years of CNS practice experience but limited academic leadership experience. Sigma’s Emerging Educational Administrator Institute (EEAI) program’s goal is to formally mentor a nurse faculty in a new administrative position of 3 years or less for a an 18-month period using the Triad Model.
Purpose
The EEAI program mentored the new program director in development of leadership skills to become a successful administrator through the development and successful implementation of a project. The project plan was to develop an innovative, interactive, evidenced-based, online Bachelor of Science (BSN) in Nursing to the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) curriculum, which is built on the success of the current CNS, MSN Program. In addition, the goal of this program was to continue the growth and sustainability the online CNS Program.
Methods: Project Activities
Project activities were guided through EEAI’s triad mentorship of Kathleen Vollman (mentor) Karen Morin (faculty), and Jackeline Iseler (scholar). Activities for leadership development and project development included networking with national CNS leaders in curriculum development, exploring learning theories, garnering stakeholder support, presenting in the healthcare systems throughout Michigan about the CNS program, building the relationship between the CON and one of the local hospitals through a joint appointment, development of a marketing and recruitment video for the CNS program, development of a curriculum and certification, of the scholar, as a Peer Reviewer in Quality Matters (QM) to ensure a quality online program. Activities outside of university include leadership books, subscription to Harvard Business Review, Strengthsfinder 2.0, Change Intelligence, DISC assessment, the Emotional Intelligence Assessment, coaching peers, and mentoring students. The activities synergistically developed the program director’s academic, administrator’s leadership skills and the BSN to DNP program development.
Measures: Project Methods
The EEAI program started in March 2018 with assessment and development plan of the scholar’s leadership and project. During the 18-month program the scholar was responsible for the development of an online BSN to DNP CNS curriculum, development of the new courses to support the program, networking with Michigan CNSs and hospitals, QM Peer Reviewer Certification, application of QM rubrics in all BSN to DNP courses, and create a marketing and recruitment video with current and past CNS graduates through the mentorship of the faculty and mentor.
At the end of the program, the scholar was able to sustained enrollment of CNS students, increase enrollment from outside of Michigan, become a CNS resource for healthcare organizations in Michigan, become part of a Midwest grassroots CNS Educator’s Forum, earning QM Peer Reviewer Certification, champion QM for the graduate nursing program at MSU, and trailblazing the marketing and recruitment video for the graduate MSU CON programs while meeting the roles and responsibilities of a new program director.
Discussion
Sigma’s Emerging Educational Administrator Institute program provided the necessary administrative skills and formal mentorship to facilitate the development of the BSN to DNP program at MSU. The scholar was able to gain skills in leadership, emotional intelligence, management, team development, and creating a personal brand. The BSN to DNP courses are currently under development with the Quality Matters rubric imbedded throughout the graduate nursing program. The program has continued to be nationally recognized as a quality, affordable, online program for CNS students and now at the doctoral level.