Abstract
Accelerate Program is a year-long, frontline leadership development initiative, aimed at creating a pipeline of future nurse leaders designed and implemented at a large academic medical center. Focus centers on supporting the career advancement and succession planning of informal nurse leaders, enhance and develop nursing leadership competencies, provide innovative leadership development opportunities as well as promoting interprofessional learning and collaboration to achieve effective, impactful outcomes. The first cohort consisted of nurse clinicians from inpatient, procedural, emergency department and ambulatory settings.
Curriculum design was guided by The American Organization for Nursing Leadership leader core competencies and was presented by experts from within the health system. Program requirements included manager nomination, full-time employment, no disciplinary action, and previous participation in the organization’s Charge Nurse or Preceptor Program. Accepted participants attended a rigorous yearlong collaborative program with monthly 8-hour sessions covering a range of topics, including: conflict management, financial literacy, communication and interprofessional skills, and the implementation of an evidence-based practice (EBP) project.
Pre and post program data was gathered through an investigator developed 360-degree Likert score evaluation in the domains of: leader within, professionalism, communication, healthcare environment, business skills and leadership. Results indicated a significant improvement (6-9%) in all domains. Additionally, 28% of participants were promoted into formal leadership roles during the program.
Involvement in the program prepared nurses for navigating the complexities of the nurse manager role while fostering growth and retaining nurse leaders. Anecdotally, participants perceived more confidence in their ability to lead others, conduct quality research projects, and make sound decisions that improve patient outcomes. Additionally, a second cohort is currently underway, and applicants are being nominated for the third cohort. This collaboration has brought together participants who typically wouldn't interact, resulting in the creation of interprofessional EBP projects leading to the implementation of system-wide change initiatives. Further participation in leadership development programs such as Accelerate will continue to foster growth of nurse leaders.
Notes
References:
Cummings, G. G., Lee, S., Tate, K., Penconek, T., Micaroni, S. P. M., Paananen, T., & Chatterjee, G. E. (2021). The Essentials of Nursing
Leadership: A systematic review of factors and educational interventions influencing nursing leadership. International Journal of Nursing
Studies, 115, 103842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103842
James, A. H., Bennett, C. L., Blanchard, D., & Stanley, D. (2021). Nursing and values based leadership: A literature review. Journal of
Nursing Management, 29(5), 916–930. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13273
Lee, S. E., Hyunjie, L., & Sang, S. (2022). Nurse managers’ leadership, patient safety, and quality of care: A systematic review. Western
Journal of Nursing Research, 45(2), 176–185. https://doi.org/10.1177/01939459221114079
Niinihuhta, M., & Häggman Laitila, A. (2022). A systematic review of the relationships between nurse leaders’ leadership styles and nurses’
work related well being. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 28(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.13040
Specchia, M. L., Cozzolino, M. R., Carini, E., Di Pilla, A., Galletti, C., Ricciardi, W., & Damiani, G. (2021). Leadership styles and nurses’ job
satisfaction. Results of a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1552
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041552
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Mentoring and Coaching, Coaching, Implementation Science, Nurse Leaders, Career Advancement, Succession Planning
Recommended Citation
Stefanick, Julie Stephenie; Gonzalez, Melissa K.; and Brown, Clara, "Accelerate: Growing Frontline Nurse Leaders Through a Year Long Innovative Leadership Cohort" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 14.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/14
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Accelerate: Growing Frontline Nurse Leaders Through a Year Long Innovative Leadership Cohort
Seattle, Washington, USA
Accelerate Program is a year-long, frontline leadership development initiative, aimed at creating a pipeline of future nurse leaders designed and implemented at a large academic medical center. Focus centers on supporting the career advancement and succession planning of informal nurse leaders, enhance and develop nursing leadership competencies, provide innovative leadership development opportunities as well as promoting interprofessional learning and collaboration to achieve effective, impactful outcomes. The first cohort consisted of nurse clinicians from inpatient, procedural, emergency department and ambulatory settings.
Curriculum design was guided by The American Organization for Nursing Leadership leader core competencies and was presented by experts from within the health system. Program requirements included manager nomination, full-time employment, no disciplinary action, and previous participation in the organization’s Charge Nurse or Preceptor Program. Accepted participants attended a rigorous yearlong collaborative program with monthly 8-hour sessions covering a range of topics, including: conflict management, financial literacy, communication and interprofessional skills, and the implementation of an evidence-based practice (EBP) project.
Pre and post program data was gathered through an investigator developed 360-degree Likert score evaluation in the domains of: leader within, professionalism, communication, healthcare environment, business skills and leadership. Results indicated a significant improvement (6-9%) in all domains. Additionally, 28% of participants were promoted into formal leadership roles during the program.
Involvement in the program prepared nurses for navigating the complexities of the nurse manager role while fostering growth and retaining nurse leaders. Anecdotally, participants perceived more confidence in their ability to lead others, conduct quality research projects, and make sound decisions that improve patient outcomes. Additionally, a second cohort is currently underway, and applicants are being nominated for the third cohort. This collaboration has brought together participants who typically wouldn't interact, resulting in the creation of interprofessional EBP projects leading to the implementation of system-wide change initiatives. Further participation in leadership development programs such as Accelerate will continue to foster growth of nurse leaders.
Description
Join us to uncover the magic behind the Accelerate leadership program. This year-long program is designed for frontline nurses, transforming them into confident leaders. Through dynamic sessions on conflict resolution, communication, and evidence-based practice, participants have not only grown their skills but also forged lasting interprofessional connections. Discover how this innovative program is shaping the future of nursing leadership and empowering nurses to drive change in healthcare.