A BOLD & DARING Call to Action: It s Up to US to Create the Ideal Future for Nursing Education Terry Valiga, EdD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN Professor Emerita, Duke University School of Nursing ATI National Nurse Educator Summit.. April 24, 2018 Objectives Distinguish leadership from management, particularly as these concepts apply to nurse educators Propose strategies to advance excellence & minimize or eliminate mediocrity in nursing education Identify a personal plan to enhance skills needed to function as a leader in your school & in the broader nursing education community Appreciate your responsibility to shape a preferred future for nursing education 1
One of the most observed & least understood phenomena on earth. James McGregor Burns What is Leadership? The art & science of engaging people in envisioning & enabling the creation of a preferred future. Nancy Langston Contemporary Theories of Leadership Effective leadership depends on Person of the leader Situation at hand Qualities & maturity of the followers Leadership not a random occurrence Having & communicating a vision Engaging others to make vision a reality Serving as source of renewal for the group 2
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT Leadership Objective #1: Distinguish leadership from management, particularly as these concepts apply to nurse educators Management Leaders Take risks Are innovative Are OK with failure Take action Work to make a positive difference Are oriented toward the future Are societal architects Are comprehensivists Gifted generalists Are integrative thinkers Are educators & developers Generative Leadership is doing the right thing Management is doing things right 3
Tasks of Leaders Gardner, 1989 Envision goals Affirm values Motivate others Manage (change) Achieve a workable unity Explain Serve as a symbol Represent the group Renew others NOT ALL MANAGERS ARE LEADERS!!! NOT ALL LEADERS ARE MANAGERS!!! 4
THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWERS More important than may be realized!!! Views of Leader/ Relationships: Leader OLD 5
Views of Leader/ Relationships: NEWER Leader Purpose/ Vision Leader Leader Effective s Function independently Think critically about ideas, proposals, problems, etc. Challenge ideas of the leader Offer different points of view Invested in the group and its goals Know who to follow & when to follow Are courageous How do YOU measure up??? 6
LEADERS STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE & DO NOT ACCEPT MEDIOCRITY Objective #2: Propose strategies to advance excellence & minimize or eliminate mediocrity in nursing education How to Minimize or Eliminate MEDIOCRITY With thanks to my dear colleague, Dr. Beth Phillips Don t allow the hidden curriculum to thrive Don t be satisfied with the minimum Other Let go of sacred cows Stop making unfounded assumptions 7
Set high standards Push yourself How to Model & Promote EXCELLENCE Other Act purposefully Do not back down Personal Plan to Strengthen Leadership Abilities & Achieve Excellence in Nursing Education Objective #3: Identify a personal plan to enhance skills needed to function as a leader in your school & in the broader nursing education community 8
Each of us needs to take on the mantle of leadership A Job for EVERYONE This is not a job for only a select few It is not limited to those in positions of authority SEASONED EDUCATORS NEED TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP and advance the profession If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more & become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams 9
Seasoned Educators as Leaders Health care system National & global venues Higher education community Where??? Political arena Broad nursing education community Seasoned Educators as Leaders How??? Encourage junior colleagues to ask questions, challenge the status quo, share controversial/ provocative ideas.. & support them when they do these things Mentor junior colleagues formally & informally Take responsibility to foster civility & create healthful nursing education work environments (Clark, 2017) Seek out appointments or elected positions that will lead to needed change at national & global levels Propose & lead significant system-wide initiatives in your institution Say what needs to be said Don t allow yourself to get stuck in the velvet rut of routine (Gryskiewicz, 2000) 10
MID-CAREER EDUCATORS NEED TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP and continue to develop as leaders Mid-Career Educators as Leaders Where??? Nursing department/ school Local/State professional community Local geographic community Academic institution/ system Broader nursing education community 11
Mid-Career Educators as Leaders How??? Use networks to create teams that can facilitate change Read, think & connect broadly Don t get too wrapped up in your own little corner of the world Give critical feedback to colleagues Change your own practices based on critical feedback from others Become actively involved in professional organizations Mid-Career Educators as Leaders How??? Be assertive in challenging the status quo, asking questions & sharing ideas What do we mean by excellence in our school? Are we measuring the most important educational outcomes? Can our curricula be more flexible & less rigid? Are we focusing enough on affective domain learning? Are we truly preparing our students to be leaders & scholars? Do we have enough resources & varied in-house initiatives to help faculty develop their pedagogical expertise? Do we, as faculty, consistently live our philosophy? Is our committee structure & the way we get our work done most effective & efficient? How can we do a better job of nominating faculty for awards, fellowships, & other honors/opportunities? 12
Mid-Career Educators as Leaders How??? Push for excellence Do not accept mediocrity in yourself or others Create opportunities if none are presented to you Present provocative or controversial ideas publicly (at meetings, via publications or presentations) Accept management positions that provide opportunities to create a preferred future Don t be afraid to move to new environments that will challenge you NOVICE EDUCATORS NEED TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP and develop their leadership skills Don t follow the path. Go [instead] where there is no path & begin the trail. When you start a new trail equipped with courage, strength & conviction, the only thing that can stop you is YOU!! Ruby Bridges 13
Novice Educators as Leaders Where??? Innovative initiatives with students & faculty colleagues Courses & programs you plan & teach Collaborative efforts with clinical partners Novice Educators as Leaders How??? Be well informed Ask questions Challenge the status quo Strive for excellence do not accept mediocrity or good enough Take advantage of opportunities Share ideas even if provocative or controversial 14
Novice Educators as Leaders How??? Build networks Engage with like-minded colleagues Don t be insular Read widely Ask for critique/critical feedback Identify what you re passionate about Find the right place to work IT BEGINS WITH ONE Developing & Growing as a LEADER Write your teaching philosophy Are you a deliverer of information or a facilitator of learning? Are you a clinician who happens to be teaching, or an educator who happens to have a clinical specialty? Write your leadership vision It might address A particular student population Clinical learning experiences More effective functioning of committees Creating a more civil culture Engaging students more fully in classroom & online environments Increasing response rates on student evaluations of teachers & courses 15
Developing & Growing as a LEADER (continued) Give students choices in your course textbooks, course assignments, % for each (or some) assignments, etc. -- & document outcomes Celebrate & take full advantage of the diversity of students & faculty Openly admit when you don t know something Even to students!!! Talk with students & colleagues about how to manage the uncertainty & ambiguity in nursing practice, education, etc. Developing & Growing as a LEADER (continued) Apply to participate in institutes or (later on) fellowships Employer, professional organizations (e.g., STTI), national programs Dialogue with/interview leaders about their journey to that role Carefully observe (or even shadow ) those you think are leaders & model yourself after them 16
Developing & Growing as a LEADER (continued) Look for jobs in institutions that empower faculty & expect them to be effective followers & leaders Take on challenges & opportunities that come your way (e.g., committees at work, invitations to participate in special projects) Create opportunities Participate in professional associations Agree to serve on committees or run for office Be an advocate for what the association represents Developing & Growing as a LEADER (continued) Challenge students, yourself & your colleagues Never underestimate your students or colleagues Expect great things from them Always balance CHALLENGE with SUPPORT Base your teaching practices & suggested changes on evidence rather than just tradition or feelings Think out loud & don t be afraid to share ideas & different perspectives Take rises Act 17
Developing & Growing as a LEADER (continued) Actively seek feedback from colleagues who will be honest & helpful Get out of your velvet rut of routine (Gryskiewicz, 2000) Try innovations in your courses, in how you lead committees, etc. Attend faculty development & leadership development programs Continually read educational & leadership literature Network effectively Developing & Growing as a LEADER (continued) Engage in honest self-assessment Know who you are, what you believe, & what you do well Reference list suggests some tools to do this Reflect on extent to which you exhibit characteristics of exemplary followers: Strength & independence.. Innovative & creative.. Critical thinker.. Think for yourself.. Take initiative.. Self-starter.. Can do aura.. Assume ownership.. Active engagement.. Energized by work 18
Developing & Growing as a LEADER (continued) Find a mentor or like-minded individuals to partner with to realize the preferred future you envision Pursue certification as an academic nurse educator (CNE) Plan to be a viable candidate for induction into the American Academy of Nursing, the Academy of Nursing Education, &/or a specialty Academy Study those whom you view as models of excellence & as effective leaders Shaping a Preferred Future for Nursing Education Objective #4: Appreciate your responsibility to shape a preferred future for nursing education 19
Have a VISION.. COMMUNICATE it to Others.. Keep Your Eye on the HORIZON What Is YOUR Vision??? What is the preferred future for nursing education that you envision & will take on the role of leader to achieve? 20
A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be. Rosalynn Carter (Former First Lady) It is those who start with why that have the ability to inspire those around them or find others who inspire them. Simon Sinek (Author) Bat the beehive! 21
Remember: Leaders Strive for Excellence Excellence is about values, NOT resources Excellence is about striving for the best, regardless of the hard work that might be required Excellence is not an isolated act, but a habit Excellence becomes part of the fabric of those who insist on it Let it be part of your DNA STOP SAYING I WISH. AND START SAYING I WILL. That is what LEADERS do! 22