The Kansas Nurse Leader Residency Program

Abstract

As nurses engage as partners in addressing complex healthcare issues, it is increasingly important to develop nurse leaders. Many nurses need expanded knowledge and training to lead change. The purpose of this article is to describe an innovative statewide nurse leadership residency program to prepare new nurse leaders in four specialty areas. Suggestions are offered for continued advancement of leadership training for RNs across specialty roles and settings.

Enhancing Nurse Leadership Engagement Through Formalized Orientation Programs

“…Despite the limitations of the reviewed studies, such as low sample sizes, low response rates, self-reporting bias, and lack of diversity in the study population, this integrative review identified 3 common themes related to nurse leader orientation and nurse engagement. 25,26,28 In addition, this integrative review revealed 3 common themes related to nurse leader onboarding correlating with leader engagement: new nurse leader development supports the increased engagement of the nurse leader, as well as their direct reports; nursing leadership residency programs promote engagement; and transformational leadership practices reinforced in a systematic nurse leader orientation improve leader engagement.…”

“…The 1st theme identified from the integrative review was that leadership development supports increased nursing leader engagement. 9,[26][27][28] Leadership development programs should be intentionally designed to support engagement as an outcome. 29,30 All 5 studies identified that incorporating leadership core competencies into a development program during new leader onboarding was beneficial in adopting healthy and productive work environments.…”

“…29,30 All 5 studies identified that incorporating leadership core competencies into a development program during new leader onboarding was beneficial in adopting healthy and productive work environments. [25][26][27][28] The addition of these core competencies further helps promote engagement among nursing leaders. [31][32][33] Similarly, when nursing leadership development is at the forefront of onboarding practices, organizations see improved patient outcomes, which is a crucial motivator to invest in opportunities for new nursing leaders.…”

“…[31][32][33] Similarly, when nursing leadership development is at the forefront of onboarding practices, organizations see improved patient outcomes, which is a crucial motivator to invest in opportunities for new nursing leaders. 9,[26][27][28]33 Nursing Leadership Residency Programs Promote Engagement Another theme identified from the literature focuses on how a residency program for newly hired nurse leaders promotes leader engagement. [26][27][28] A nursing leader residency program will help bridge the gap that many new leaders experience with their 1st leadership position by immersing the new leader in experiences that allows them to incorporate practices that promote engagement at all levels in the organization.…”

“…9,[26][27][28]33 Nursing Leadership Residency Programs Promote Engagement Another theme identified from the literature focuses on how a residency program for newly hired nurse leaders promotes leader engagement. [26][27][28] A nursing leader residency program will help bridge the gap that many new leaders experience with their 1st leadership position by immersing the new leader in experiences that allows them to incorporate practices that promote engagement at all levels in the organization. 26,27 In addition, organizations can take a proactive approach to leadership development by incorporating nursing leadership residency programs that support the development of leadership styles that enhance resiliency, leading to increased leader engagement.…”