Building adaptive nurse leaders for future Army full spectrum operations

The Army Nurse Corps (ANC) life cycle model outlines major milestones that are required, expected, or recommended to be achieved to prepare Army Nurses to become senior leaders. Army nurses must be prepared to function in uncertain future full spectrum operational environment. The purpose of this study was to determine specific education and developmental experiences that will assist in developing ANC officers to become adaptive leaders through a review of literature and qualitative study. Fifteen interviews were conducted with senior ANC officers. Purposive sampling was used, yielding a sample population with a variety of experiences, to include deployments, recruiting, command, and joint operational assignments. Results indicated that the major themes for senior leader preparation are military education, field experience, and the need to add a new career pathway to ensure equal opportunity of advancement for both clinicians and administrators.