About the Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy

The John A. Hartford Foundation | Program Description | Program Objectives | Academy Structure | The Mentoring Relationship | Continuing Education | Important Dates | Academy Faculty | Press Releases

Program Description

The Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy is an 18-month, mentored leadership experience for nurses. Learning methodologies utilized throughout the academy include content in leadership theory and skills; leadership self-assessment and development; inter-professional team development, project development, management and evaluation; and dissemination of lessons learned as well as project outcomes. The Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy is based on the successful Maternal-Child Health Leadership Academy the honor society has conducted for more than five years with support from Johnson & Johnson.

Program Objectives

The purpose of the Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy is to develop the leadership skills of nurses in positions of influence in a variety of health care settings. The program will enable nurses to lead interprofessional teams to improve the quality of health care for older adults and their families.

Upon completion of the leadership academy experience, the nurse will be able to:

• Create and effectively lead an inter-professional team to improve geriatric health care practice outcomes
• Influence geriatric health care practices within a variety of settings
• Improve geriatric health outcomes through leadership and enactment of evidence-based care
• Disseminate "lessons learned" in leadership development to improve the health and care of older adults

Structure of the Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy

The focus of the academy is the fellow’s personal leadership journey with a project that serves as a platform for enacting leadership competency and skill, a community mentor to support development of leadership skills and a faculty facilitator to assist the mentor and fellow.

• Each applicant (fellow) develops a project centered on improving the quality of health care for older adults and their families through geriatric nursing practice. The fellow is expected to form an interdisciplinary team in her/his practice setting or community to address this geriatric nursing issue.
• Each applicant identifies a mentor in the same setting/community to provide guidance and support throughout the program and project. The ideal mentor can act as a role model, sounding board and guide. It is preferable that the mentor not have a supervisory relationship with the fellow. The mentor should be someone who is familiar with the practice setting; agrees to champion, advise and advocate for the nurse; and demonstrates the leadership characteristics required of a mentor.
• A faculty facilitator will be assigned to each fellow/mentor pair and will assist with personal leadership development, team development, project planning, implementation and evaluation. Faculty members are nationally known experts in geriatric health care and organizational development. 

Description of Mentoring Relationship

Applicants are encouraged to identify a mentor from their institution and/or community who is not a direct supervisor and demonstrates the following leadership characteristics: 

• Knowledgeable and supportive — willing to invest time and expertise in the participant's leadership journey
• Generous and resourceful — able to open doors and assist with navigating organization structure and culture
• Open to new ideas — willing to take risks
• Strong communication skills — able to listen, provide feedback, dialogue and challenge the participant 

*When selecting a mentor consider their experiences as a mentor; the successes of previous fellows; their scope of leadership influence; and geriatric health care expertise.

Continuing Nursing Education

Continuing nursing education credit can be earned during the 18-month program. The honor society is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Academy Schedule

Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy Faculty

Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy Press Releases

Honor Society of Nursing Launches Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy with $1.6 million grant from John A. Hartford Foundation

14 MARCH 2008 (INDIANAPOLIS) The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International today announced it is accepting applications to the first national Geriatric Nursing Leadership Academy. The academy will develop the leadership skills of nurses at key health care institutions to improve care of older adults across the United States. Read more.