Rounds with Leadership: New Dimensions in Leadership

Welcome to Rounds with Leadership, a forum for AACN’s Board Chair and President/CEO to offer commentary on issues and trends impacting academic nursing.

February 23, 2022 - New Dimensions in Leadership

According to veteran higher education writer David Rosowsky with Forbes magazine, there are five things academic leaders should focus on this year:

• embrace innovation and commit to making needed changes as we emerge from the pandemic
• reform governance structures
• redefine what constitutes excellence
• affirm and communicate your value to stakeholders
• help our nation heal, redefine middle ground, embrace civility, and foster civil discourse and scientific inquiry

Tackling any one of these could take considerable time and effort. The thought of addressing them all is formidable.

As nurse leaders, we bring a rich array of education and experience to our work, which makes us uniquely qualified to overcome challenges and meet the demands of the moment. Still, leadership science is evolving rapidly and offering new strategies to help you advance your school’s mission, build diverse teams, and cultivate an inclusive work environment. 

AACN strives to be a trusted partner in your leadership journey by offering a variety of opportunities and services to enhance your ability to lead with confidence and precision. Under the banner of AACN LEADS, programs are offered to meet the needs of all individuals along the leadership continuum, from novice faculty to seasoned administrators. Programs currently seeking applicants include:

Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing (ELAN)
Designed for aspiring deans and senior faculty, this year-long fellowship provides participants with a focused assessment experience, a range of content and exercises related to successful executive leadership, and the opportunity to establish a peer network that fosters long-term partnerships and collegial support. Apply by March 15, 2022.

Senior Academic Nursing Leadership Academy
Offered in conjunction with the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, this program for experienced deans focuses on advanced leadership and management concepts with exercises designed to help participants tackle the most pressing issues facing health care and higher education. Apply by March 30, 2022.

MentorLINK: Connecting for Success
This structured eight-month program brings experienced deans together with deans looking for wisdom and support to overcome challenges and maximize impact. Apply by August 31, 2022.

In addition, AACN LEADS recently launched a series of on-demand Leadership Education Modules for nursing faculty and deans focused on key areas, including leadership principles and practices, ethical leadership, emotional intelligence, and crisis leadership/disaster preparedness. Modules may be taken individually or embedded into nursing curricula focused on leadership development.

Beyond the AACN LEADS programs, we encourage you to consider other opportunities focused on your personal and professional enrichment, including the upcoming Executive Development Series for Deans, the Leadership Networks, webinars, and the Graduate Nursing Student Academy for your master’s and doctoral students.

Now is the time to invest in your own leadership development, amplify your effectiveness, and add new dimensions to your capacity to lead and inspire others.