GNLA Leadership Journey: Community Resource Group Project: A Mississippi (MS) Community Initiative

Introduction:The Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy (GNLA) is designed to assist and support the development leadership of advance practice nurses (APRNs).  It focuses on individual leadership development, advancing nursing practice through leading through an interprofessional team project, and advancing the scope of influence of APRNs at the community, state and national levels. As a GNLA Fellow, I was able to implement an interprofessional project centered on improving geriatric health outcomes. This leadership development journey has been supported by my employer, Matrix Medical Network, a community health industry founder and leader.  What began as a project; led to a journey to my heart, thus defining me as a person and nurse. The two will forever define my life.   

 

Individual Leadership Development:  My journey is best defined through the lens of the three domains of leadership as postulated by the Kouzes-Posner (K-P) model. As a GNLA fellow, the K-P model served as a guide in expanding my scope of influence by encouraging the hearts of those around me, and, by modeling the way for others. Multiple modalities were used to develop my leadership such as developing a mentor-mentee relationship, leadership training, observed behavior development with formal feedback, and purposeful self-reflection.

 

The Interprofessional Team Project Initiative:Matrix Medical Network is a visionary in the field of community medicine. The Mississippi (MS) Community Resource Group Project Initiative was developed to create an electronic tool to link health care providers with available community resources for older adults, bridging the gap between them, promoting efficient and comprehensive care at the highest level for all.

Advancing Scope of Influence:   Expanding my scope of influence began by identifying key stakeholders interested in the care and well-being of older adults in Mississippi (MS). What began at the community level eventually led to my influence at the national level with federal lawmakers. These experiences enhanced my ability to enable others to act. For example, one of the collaborating physicians has become involved in Mississippi government affairs for the care of older adults, and one of the nurse practitioners has started a community work group in her town for the self-development of women.  A second nurse practitioner is seeking a doctoral degree.

 

Conclusion: The Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy provides development opportunities to nurses and encourages them to expand their scope of influence to a global level. As a GNLA Fellow, I recognize the role nurse leaders play in the future of healthcare. The development of strong community engagement with available resources is the key to the future of the care of older adults in Mississippi, and the subsequent possible world impact.