Tuesday, November 3, 2009: 10:55 AM
Learning Objective 1: identify 3 specific strategies which promote the development of leadership skills in male nursing students in a community public health environment.
Learning Objective 2: identify how a formal group within a community can be utilized to promote future gender diversity within the nursing profession.
This presentation will discuss an Independent Study Project designed to promote leadership skills in male nursing students and promote possible gender diversity in the future nursing workforce. At the present time, both of these areas are viewed as priorities among professional leaders both in education and service. The complexities of today’s practice and the serious health demands of the population require individuals with strong leadership abilities. It has also been reported in a recent national sample survey of registered nurses that only approximately 5% to 6% of the present nursing workforce are male. Strides have been made to promote diversity relative to race/ ethnicity but less energy has been devoted to gender diversity. The responsibility for promoting leadership and diversity can be shared by professionals practicing in various roles in a variety of settings. This presentation will describe the process employed in identifying a community group that provided an environment supportive of meeting objectives. Specific activities utilized in the Independent Study Project, barriers to the accomplishment of goals, and strategies to address these barriers will also be included.
The Boy Scouts, as a community organization, was not just selected because of the gender aspect. Many proposed objectives and values identified in Boy Scouting are integral to Professional Nursing Education and Practice. These include but are not limited to honesty, strength of character, altruism, physical and mental responsibility and living one’s life in an ethical manner.
Five male nursing students were recruited to participate with a male faculty serving as their advisor. Leadership skills, such as collaboration, negotiation, time management, role modeling, and effective communication were developed. These nursing students were responsible for meeting the requirements of specific merit badges. In the process, scouts ages 11 to 17 were introduced to nursing as a possible and viable future profession.
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