Enhancing Leadership Opportunities for Student Interns: Assisting With the Newsletter Publication Process

This poster demonstrates the outcome of student intern support through mentorship of the Past President and current Treasurer of the Alpha Gamma Chapter of STTI. One of the desired outcomes is to facilitate and develop leadership competencies as described by the ANA Leadership Institute (2013).

 The Mentor assigned student interns to interview and collect data from current Board members. The student Interns refined interview questions for Board members that reflected and focused on the mission and values of STTI. Questions included:

1. What has STTI done for your personal leadership expertise?
2. How has STTI helped you stimulate your strengths, values, and experiences to advocate for the future of nursing and system improvement opportunities? 
3. How has STTI enhanced your partnership within the profession and the community?
4. How have your professional contributions served as a role model to the next generations of nurse leaders?
5. How have your strengths contributed to the advancement of the development and advancement of scholarship, leadership, and services?

 Next the interns arranged interview appointments, prepared the articles, and assisted with the development and printing of the Newsletter. Through this project the Interns were able to enhance leadership skills related to building relationships, communicating appropriately, and resource management. The Past President/Treasurer mentoring role reflects an effective strategy in fostering leadership capacity.

 The President and President-Elect were featured with their vision for leadership and collaboration. Board members also emphasized the rewards and benefits of community partnerships and local and global engagement. In addition, members stressed the importance of current evidenced-based research, lifelong learning, scholarship, system improvement, and collaborative learning through technology. The interns also reflected on the significant role that STTI will represent in their current and future roles as diverse nurse leaders in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

According to Curtis, et al (2011), relationship skills are ore important than financial and technical abilities. The implementation of this project provides a strategy for student interns to participate in building relationship skills.