Front-line nurses praise leadership program

Front-line nurses who participated in an online leadership development program reported improved leadership skills, according to a Journal of Nursing Administration study. Nurses with 10 years or less nursing experience were recruited to participate in the Nursing Empowerment Program, an online module offering nine LinkedIn courses, three leadership courses from Sigma, an e-book and a discussion board. Nearly all of the 69 participants (98.6%) who responded to an immediate and follow-up survey reported having applied new or improved abilities in their nursing practice to at least a small degree. The majority reported having done so to a moderate or great degree. The authors noted the pandemic has underscored the need to prepare nurses for leadership, but lamented the lack of support and attention for leadership development among staff nurses compared with continuing education for clinically focused content.