Charge Nurse Leadership Academy: Developing Front Line Leaders

Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations include promoting leadership at the point of care and enhancing competencies at all levels. Charge nurses play a pivotal role in providing leadership, and are vital to the overall improvement of patient outcomes and effective management of the nursing unit. However, the role is wrought with practice inconsistencies across nursing settings, particularly in the areas of healthcare economics/finance, effective communication, conflict management, resource management and self care,  Literature review reveals variations in practice due to lack of formalized preparation, training and role clarity. This presentation describes the development, implementation and evaluation of an organizational initiative to develop charge nurses in acute care. The 1-day interactive theory based workshop introduces new charge nurses to essential leadership skills necessary to grow in their professional practice role and the advanced certificate program provides additional resources and development for experienced charge nurses.  The program was developed using framework and concepts from Maria O’Rourke’s Model of the Professional Role and Jean Watson’s Caring Science. The presentation delineates the 4 phase program development process, nuts and bolts for developing an internal charge nurse leadership development core curriculum, securing senior leadership support, and identifying organizational experts to facilitate the course.