One of the hallmarks of the nursing leadership profession is its commitment to nurture new nurse leaders and those nurses who aspire to nursing leadership positions. It is in the spirit of nurturing our profession that the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE) is sponsoring the Aspiring Nurse Leaders Week on November 9-15, 2008.
This week has been selected for this important observance as it marks the anniversary of the dedication of the Spirit of Nursing Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.
During this week, we encourage all nurse leaders to re-commit themselves to the important work of developing new nurse leaders by actively advocating and demonstrating the benefits and rewards of holding a nursing leadership position and by becoming actively involved in their professional development. Mentorship and active encouragement of nurses who are interested in management are just two of the ways to demonstrate this commitment. As our profession ages, along with the nursing profession in general, it is important that we work to ensure that health care organizations continue to benefit from the contributions made by nurse leaders.
To help you observe Aspiring Nurse Leaders Week, we have developed this resource guide that provides several ideas to spark your imagination and jumpstart your planning.
Keep in mind that our resources are just a starting point. Use your imagination to come up with innovative ideas to recognize the aspiring nurse leaders in your organization!
Ideas for Observing ASPIRING NURSE LEADERS WEEK
While we work throughout the year to identify and support the professional development needs of aspiring nurse leaders, we have organized Aspiring Nurse Leaders Week as an opportunity for health care organizations to provide special recognition to a unique group of nurses—those who have recently assumed management positions or those who are considering nursing leadership as a career option. In this way, AONE actively supports and encourages the continuous introduction of new energy, ideas, and enthusiasm—the lifeblood of any profession.
Here are some ideas for observing Aspiring Nurse Leader Week in your organization:
- Sponsor a special recognition event (breakfast, luncheon, dinner, reception, etc.) for aspiring nurse leaders. Be sure to invite your current nurse leaders as well as your executive management and board of trustees.
- Sponsor a nursing symposium that highlights the work of nurses and nurse leaders to enhance the safety and quality of patient care in your organization.
- Host a brown-bag lunch on each shift to discuss a leadership topic.
- Free up time on the chief nursing officer’s schedule for open time during which nurses can talk with her/him about careers in nursing leadership.
- Place an article about your organization’s nurse leaders—with a special focus on new leaders—in your employee newsletter.
- Deliver a special treat to your nursing staff during the week—with a special message of thanks for your nurse leaders and encouragement for those who aspire to careers in nursing leadership.
- Host a management development program for aspiring nurse leaders during the week. Focus on such key management competencies as mediation and negotiation, facilitation, critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration, and cultural competency.
- Conduct educational sessions on careers in nursing leadership for your staff nurses; be sure to schedule them at various times so that all nurses have a chance to attend.
- Post nursing leadership career information on your organization’s Intranet.
- Host a “Nurse Leaders Job-Shadow Day,” in which aspiring nurse leaders can shadow nurse leaders during their workday to learn more about nursing leadership as a career.
- Recognize your organization’s aspiring nurse leaders with AONE Nurse LeaderShop gift items (Please contact Marianne Schuneman, AONE member services manager, at 312-422-2803 for gift ideas that have been offered over the years!)
If you have any questions or would like to share your ideas for the annual observance of Aspiring Nurse Leader Week, please contact us at 312-422-2800 or aone@aha.org.
