Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Using Learning Outcome Measures to assess Doctoral Nursing Education
Published on: June 21, 2010
Assessing the professional development needs of experienced nurse executive leaders
Linda Searle Leach1, Patricia McFarland
1Author Affiliations: Assistant Professor (Dr Leach), School of Nursing/UCLA Health System Patient Safety Institute, University of California Los Angeles; CEO (Ms McFarland), Association of California Nurse Leaders, Sacramento.
Objective:
The objective of this study was to identify the professional development topics that senior nurse leaders believe are important to their advancement and success.
Background:
Senior/experienced nurse leaders at the executive level are able to influence the work environment of nurses and institutional and health policy. Their development needs are likely to reflect this and other contemporary healthcare issues and may be different from middle and frontline managers. A systematic way of assessing professional development needs for these nurse leaders is needed.
Methods:
A descriptive study using an online survey was distributed to a convenience sample of nurse leaders who were members of the Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL) or have participated in an ACNL program.
Results:
Visionary leadership, leading complexity, and effective teams were the highest ranked leadership topics. Leading change, advancing health: The future of nursing, healthy work environments, and healthcare reform were also highly ranked topics.
Conclusions:
Executive-level nurse leaders are important to nurse retention, effective work environments, and leading change. Regular assessment and attention to the distinct professional development needs of executive-level nurse leaders are a valuable human capital investment.
Related Concept Videos
The Professional Nurse
Communication skills: These are critical characteristics, especially speaking and listening.
Nursing Evaluation
Current Trends in Nursing I
Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching I: Assessment and Diagnosis
It is critical to determine the patient's learning needs during the assessment. Determination of learning needs compounds data...
Planning Nursing Care I
National Nursing Organizations II
The AACN emphasizes a healthy work environment through six standards to achieve an optimal patient outcome. The standards are appropriate staffing, meaningful recognition, collaboration, authentic leadership, effective communication, and decision-making. In addition, AACN provides certification programs, webinars, journals, and...

