GNSA Bulletin - April 2022 Edition

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Emerging Leaders
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Amelia Malcom, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CNE

 

PhD Program

Augusta University

 

Anticipated Graduation Date: Spring 2024

 

Assistant Professor/Family Nurse Practitioner 

Brenau University
 

I decided to go back to school for my PhD because I am very interested in research and wanted to learn more about the processes, not only for my professional development but for my student's benefit. I have been a DNP for 8 years and do not regret it at all. It has been a great experience. I just felt that I was missing a piece to the puzzle. I looked at grants and saw that many principal investigators had to be PhD-prepared. I am not someone who likes to be limited. I spoke to the PhD director of Augusta University at an education conference we both attended. She was so insightful and inspiring. When I got home I looked into her program and loved the curriculum. The part-time program has been great for me. My research topic is looking at telehealth-based compassionate care in primary care nurse practitioners.

 
The PhD in nursing program at Augusta University has ignited my passion for research. I am so grateful for the tremendous faculty and mentorship that I have received so far. I am finishing up my second year and feel that I have learned a great deal. My advisors have been very impactful and encouraging.
 
After graduation I will continue to be an educator but plan to conduct more studies in higher education and FNP practice. I hope to secure grant funding so that I can enrich the experiences of my students and patients.

   

 

 
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Are you our next emerging leader? Do you excel in your graduate program, demonstrate excitement for your nursing work, and/or have potential to greatly contribute to health care? If so, submit an emerging leader nomination form today to self-nominate or nominate a fellow student. The emerging leader will be selected from the applicants and notified when they will be profiled. Help us recognize future nursing leaders!

 

Noteworthy Publication: 

On March 21, 2022, Nurse.com published an article titled A Doctorate in Nursing Can Open More Doors Than You Might Think. The story looks at the benefits of doctoral nursing education from the perspective of a chief academic officer and a PhD candidate. If you are considering a terminal nursing degree, this article is a must read! 

 
Join the GNSA!
Take advantage of the various benefits that are free to you as a graduate student! Tell your fellow students and make sure they join today! Click here to complete the online application.

Skills for Nurse Leadership

 

As a registered nurse and leader for almost 3 decades, I have had many opportunities to review resumes, cover pages, and interview job applicants. One common thread I have found is that people do not take enough time to review the job posting to fully understand what leadership skills the employer considers valuable and if the skills required are a good fit for their educational background and experiences. Possessing excellent leadership skills are important in the nursing industry, regardless of where you are in your career. Common leadership skills to possess are:

  • Teamwork. Nurse leaders are integral team members. They interact, communicate, and assist other team members in, striving for the best possible care for patients.
  • Communication. Strong verbal and written communication skills allow nurses to communicate in an effective and clear method.
  • Mentorship. Nurse leaders have the skills and tools needed to guide and mentor other nurses so they become leaders in their positions.
  • Lifelong Learners. Nurse leaders recognize that the nursing profession is constantly changing and that there are always ways to improve upon existing skills.
  • Innovative/Creative. Leaders in the nursing profession are also innovators. They can step outside of the norm and transform modern healthcare in a way that works better for patients.
  • Flexibility. The role of a nurse is ever-changing, and the ability to be flexible and adapt to new environments provides nurses with the confidence and morale they need to be leaders (Indeed.com, 2022).

If you do not feel that your leadership skills are fully developed, seek out additional responsibilities. Fill in when additional support is needed or take initiative to assist other staff with patient tasks. If your employer offers ongoing training groups or volunteer programs, you can also use these opportunities to develop additional skills, including leadership. To develop new skills, set measurable goals. Make a list of the skills you would like to develop in the short- and long-term, then determine what steps you will take to reach these goals. Be specific and direct with these steps, deciding how you will measure the success of your goals.

Lastly, commit to always learning. The healthcare industry is continually changing, making it crucial to keep up with the latest trends. Whether you attend nursing conferences, subscribe to a nursing publication, read books, or attend an academic nursing program, nurse leaders are always working to improve their knowledge in the nursing profession.

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Denise Robertson, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CNL
GNSA Leadership Council Member
University of Alabama at Birmingham

 

Register for the 2022 GNSA Virtual Career Fair

Attend the 2022 GNSA Virtual Career Fairan exclusive event for GNSAGNSA Career Fair Graphic members! Connect with employers from across the country with the barriers of location and schedules removed. Are you looking for a faculty position, hoping to advance your position in practice, or starting to think about your next career move? Th

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