Presenter Classification
Nurse Leader
Presentation Type
Podium Presentation
Publication Date
4-22-2026
Start Date
22-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Date
22-4-2026 1:50 PM
Keywords
Nurse leadership development, emerging nurse leaders, transformational leadership, Nursing workforce development, Professional development in nursing
Abstract Type
Quality Improvement/Process Improvement Project
Abstract
Healthcare systems increasingly require skilled nurse leaders to address workforce shortages, quality improvement demands, and complex care environments. However, many nurses transition into leadership roles without formal preparation. In this quality improvement project, nurse scientists Kathleen Kinser DNP; Belinda Fleming, PhD; and Christie Manasco, PhD, from the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement (TCNA) evaluated outcomes of the Emerging Nurse Leader Fellowship developed to strengthen foundational leadership competencies among novice nurse leaders. Guided by transformational leadership theory, the fellowship was a statewide, cohort-based, instructor-led, asynchronous online program emphasizing practical leadership development and application in clinical settings. Two cohorts participated and completed structured weekly coursework. Pre- and post-program evaluations measured self-perceived leadership skills, confidence, and early application of leadership behaviors. The East Tennessee State University Institutional Review Board determined the project did not constitute human subject research. Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine changes across cohorts. Thirty-two of 39 participants completed the fellowship. Baseline results indicated moderate overall leadership competence, with budgeting, finance, and strategic planning identified as areas of lowest confidence. Post-program evaluations demonstrated high satisfaction with program relevance and instructional quality. Participants reported early application of leadership behaviors in practice, including leading change (78%–92%), coaching staff performance (61%–69%), and managing personal and team energy to reduce burnout (72%).Findings suggest that a theoretically grounded, cohort-based program can strengthen leadership readiness among emerging nurse leaders and contribute to development of a sustainable nursing leadership pipeline, though results are limited by small sample size and regional representation.
Included in
Building the Nursing Leadership Pipeline: Outcomes of a Statewide Emerging Nurse Leader Fellowhip
Healthcare systems increasingly require skilled nurse leaders to address workforce shortages, quality improvement demands, and complex care environments. However, many nurses transition into leadership roles without formal preparation. In this quality improvement project, nurse scientists Kathleen Kinser DNP; Belinda Fleming, PhD; and Christie Manasco, PhD, from the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement (TCNA) evaluated outcomes of the Emerging Nurse Leader Fellowship developed to strengthen foundational leadership competencies among novice nurse leaders. Guided by transformational leadership theory, the fellowship was a statewide, cohort-based, instructor-led, asynchronous online program emphasizing practical leadership development and application in clinical settings. Two cohorts participated and completed structured weekly coursework. Pre- and post-program evaluations measured self-perceived leadership skills, confidence, and early application of leadership behaviors. The East Tennessee State University Institutional Review Board determined the project did not constitute human subject research. Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine changes across cohorts. Thirty-two of 39 participants completed the fellowship. Baseline results indicated moderate overall leadership competence, with budgeting, finance, and strategic planning identified as areas of lowest confidence. Post-program evaluations demonstrated high satisfaction with program relevance and instructional quality. Participants reported early application of leadership behaviors in practice, including leading change (78%–92%), coaching staff performance (61%–69%), and managing personal and team energy to reduce burnout (72%).Findings suggest that a theoretically grounded, cohort-based program can strengthen leadership readiness among emerging nurse leaders and contribute to development of a sustainable nursing leadership pipeline, though results are limited by small sample size and regional representation.
