BRIDGING THE GAP: AONL AND ALLENCOMM PREPARE NURSES FOR LEADERSHIP SUCCESS

For years, the nursing profession has faced attrition and recruiting challenges in part because experienced nurses are expected to transition from clinical to managerial roles with insufficient preparation. To retain nurses and create sustainability among one of the nation’s most difficult and most essential professions, something in the work environment had to change. 

The American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) wanted to meet these challenges head on by creating a flexible training program that could help nurses transition into management roles with confidence, awareness, and the support they needed to succeed. 

AllenComm partnered with AONL to build an impactful learning solution based on healthcare organizations’ top three concerns identified in AONL’s polling: staff recruitment and retention, emotional health and well-being of staff, and financial resource availability.  

To ensure the curriculum was appropriately designed to meet these needs, we conducted extensive interviews with nursing subject-matter experts (SMEs) to identify the right objectives, structure, gaps, and content needed for the program. Then, we designed and developed the program following a train, apply, refresh approach with multiple components.  

The final leadership training experience is a 25-hour, on-demand self-paced program that’s flexible and makes the most of nurses’ limited time. It also includes a growth planner with up to 10 hours of job aids that encourage learners to reflect on their experiences, apply what they’ve learned, and feel supported with in-the-moment resources. Beyond the web-based training, the solution has a parallel facilitated learning program with in-person or virtual check-ins, as well as on-site training, to help prepare nurse managers as they transition into their new roles. 

The trainee response to the program has been very positive. Here’s a small sample of the results the program has seen so far: 

• In terms of self-reported confidence in their role as managers before engaging in the program, 10% said they were very confident and 33% said somewhat confident.  
• After taking the program, 42% of trainees described themselves as very confident and 45% percent said somewhat confident. 
• 96% agree or strongly agree, “Learning with a community of peers helped me feel supported in the challenges I face as a manager.” 

 

“What I found was that many of the questions I have about some day-to-day work and big projects were covered in the topics in this course. I’m so glad I was able to take this course now, and I wish I took it sooner. This was fantastic.” 

– Program graduate 

Do you want to learn more about the development of the leadership development course created for AONL? Download the full case study here.