Developing new nurse leaders

This innovative program was an easily administered and cost-effective method to identify and develop new nurse leaders. Successful features of the program were (a) the tenure in the ACNM's traineeship position was limited to 1 year, (b) the salary expense was just over $1,000 per ACNM per year, [c] the ACNMs were protected from publicity and visibility while they learned, and (d) potential nurse leaders were identified. After selling the idea to the hospital and nursing management, the only major effort needed to begin the program was the development of the ACNM job description and the selection of candidates. The rewards far outweighed the initial effort.