Description/Overview: This symposium will provide a comprehensive overview of the paradigm shift of the leadership structure at a school of nursing from a traditional bureaucratic leadership model to a matrix leadership organizational structure. Based on the evidence, the matrix model was envisioned to enhance collaboration, communication, and transparency. The development, implementation, and assessment of a matrix leadership organizational structure will be shared. The complexity of how the matrix structure works and supports academic programs and faculty will be described. This presentation will address how the matrix encourages collaboration and provides an opportunity for faculty to build relationships and impact the schools’ mission, vision, goals and expected outcomes. Examples of how a matrix structure encourages innovation, action, and communication will be presented. Through the matrix leadership model the complex issues that face a school of nursing can be managed using collaborative synergy.

Learner Objective #1: Describe the transition from a traditional hierarchical structure in an academic setting in a school of nursing to a matrix leadership organizational structure.

Learner Objective #2: Discuss the decision-making process and impact of implementing a matrix leadership structure in a school of nursing.