Leadership Journal

Keith Michaels

University of Texas

Summary

The authors of this article aim to explain what relationship training and education have on the nurse leader or the aspiring nurse leader. The growing demand for qualified nurse leaders is explained along with the profound effect that leadership has not only on the direct care staff but also on the patients and their loved ones. A main theme throughout the article is that education and training is effective but in what way should nurse leaders receive the supplementation; should education come through graduate programs or are on the job training via formal or informal methods adequate. Additionally, no matter the method of delivering the education, is the emphasis taught put on management skills or leadership methods? It’s also noted that nurses placed into leadership roles without related experience or adequate training are at increased risk for job dissatisfaction and turnover. Nursing leadership can be directly linked to practice and the profession would be well served by the more formal integration of leadership training and development throughout the educational process from the very onset (Curtis, Sheeran, & De Vries, 2011).
Personally, this article relates to me in that I have made a choice to “take risks” and further my education in a way that emphasizes leadership. I feel that I received some leadership training through my undergraduate education, more so on the job as a staff nurse and through my work with hospital committees and leadership within them. I received more still when I became a supervisor then director with invaluable guidance from a respected mentor and an organizational management development academy. I have goals and aspirations beyond my accomplishments thus far and have a desire to “search for opportunities” through education and personal growth in order to