Developing Leadership Competencies in Midlevel Nurse Leaders: An Innovative Approach

Area of Science:

• Nursing Leadership
• Healthcare Management
• Professional Development

Background:

• Midlevel nurse leaders require specialized training.
• Varying levels of management experience necessitate tailored programs.
• The American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) provides a framework for nurse manager competencies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a comprehensive leadership training program for midlevel nurse leaders.
• To enhance leadership and management skills among nursing staff.
• To provide a scalable program applicable to diverse hospital settings.

Main Methods:

• A needs assessment was conducted to identify training requirements.
• Content was developed based on AONL nurse manager competencies.
• A training program was implemented for midlevel nurse leaders.

Main Results:

• Learners reported increased confidence in differentiating leadership and management.
• Participants showed enhanced skills in influencing behavior and managing change.
• Communication skills were identified as an area of significant improvement.

Conclusions:

• The developed leadership training program effectively enhanced nurse leader confidence and skills.
• This program is a valuable resource for hospitals seeking to develop their midlevel nurse leaders.
• The training's modular design ensures applicability across various healthcare institutions.