Maternal Child Health Leadership Academy

Presented by the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International in partnership with Johnson and Johnson. 

Overview

The MCH Leadership Academy applicant (mentee) identifies a mentor, preferably an individual who is not their direct supervisor, and develops a project centered on improving Maternal-Child Health (MCH) outcomes and maternal-child nursing practice. The focus of the Academy is the mentee’s personal leadership journey with the projects serving as a platform for enacting leadership competency and skill.

The program applicant (mentee) is expected to form an interdisciplinary team in her/his practice setting or community to address a MCH issue. The applicant will be supported by a mentor in the same setting/community. 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 MCH Leadership Academy faculty facilitator will be assigned to each mentee/mentor pair and will assist with personal leadership development, team development and project planning, implementation and evaluation. The faculty are nationally known experts in MCH and organizational development.

Objectives

The academy experience will include opportunities for participants to work with a mentor and a team from the same practice setting or community to develop a pilot project centered on improving maternal-child health and maternal-child nursing practice. Academy graduates will be able to:

• Improve maternal-child health outcomes through leadership and evidence-based practice
• Influence maternal-child health care within a variety of settings
• Create and effectively lead an interdisciplinary team to improve maternal-child health practice outcomes
• Disseminate lessons learned in leadership development for maternal-child health.

Who should apply?

All maternal-child health nurses whose practice in service, administration, education or research includes the health of mothers and children — maternal care, pre- and post-partum care, neonatology and/or the care of children from birth to 5 years old.

Who is eligible?

• Application Requirements. Nurses and nurse midwives with a baccalaureate or higher degree and work experience in maternal-child health nursing, including but not limited to clinicians, researchers, faculty, nurses and nurse midwives working in professional organizations and health policy.
• Language. Nurses and nurse midwives from all countries are encouraged to apply. Strong skills in written and spoken English are required.
• Internet Access. Every participant must be computer-proficient and have, at minimum, Windows 95, or higher internet access throughout the program.

Selecting your Mentor

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

• Willing to invest time and expertise in your leadership journey (patient and understanding)
• Able to open doors and assist with navigating organization structure and culture (generous and resourceful)
• Willing to take risks (open to new ideas)
• Able to listen, provide feedback, dialogue and challenge you (supportive)

When selecting your mentor, also consider their past experiences as a mentor; the successes of their mentees; and the scope of their leadership influence and maternal-child health expertise.

Program Activities

Group Activities:

• Four-day leadership workshop for mentors and mentees;
• Two one-day facilitated site visits by faculty facilitator with participant/mentor and project team;
• Three to four day project implementation/evaluation workshop
• Project presentation at the honor society's biennial convention in 2009.

Participant Activities:

• Set leadership goals that are acceptable to the mentor and the MCH Leadership Academy
• Develop and complete an individualized leadership development plan with guidance from the mentor and leadership academy faculty
• Secure support, including time and resources, of participants agency/organization/institution
• Set and complete project goals that are measurable; achievable within the 18-month time frame; and acceptable to your mentor, institution/organization and MCH Leadership Academy

Continuing Education

80 Contact hours can be earned during the eighteen-month long program. The contact hours will be assigned by the honor society, which is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission to provide continuing education for nurses.

Time Line

Financial Considerations

There is a US$500 registration fee for mentee/mentor pairs admitted to the program. Attendance at two workshops is required for all participants (mentee and mentor). The workshops, hotel and meals will be provided at no cost to participants through a grant from Johnson Johnson Pediatric Institute. Each participant is responsible for the costs of travel to the two workshops. Participants are responsible for costs (travel, registration, meals, lodging) to attend the Sigma Theta Tau International Biennial Convention in 2009 to present their posters.  Activities associated with the implementation of the leadership plan/project will also be at the participants' expense.

Anticipated Costs

Registration fee: US$500
Travel to Workshop I: Airfare only
Travel to Workshop II: Airfare only
Travel to present poster at STTI Convention: Airfare, lodging, meals, and conference registration

Recommended sources for financial assistance include: employers, civic organizations, hospital auxiliaries, government agencies, community and professional foundations, professional organizations and Sigma Theta Tau chapters.

Additional activities included in the individualized plan may increase expenses associated with participating in the Maternal-Child Health Nursing Leadership Academy.

Selection Criteria

The review panel will use the following criteria to review applications.

All Applicants will provide:

• Well-defined personal leadership goals and leadership challenge project plan, with clear articulation of the MCH health issue being addressed by the project.
• Goals consistent with the objectives of the MCH Nursing Leadership Academy
• Outcomes that are achievable in the time frame of the program
• Goals that promote the development of individual MCH leadership skills
• Evidence of the applicant's ability to achieve the goals (flexibility, focus, resourcefulness, and effective written and verbal communication)
• Evidence of applicant’s ability to provide the time needed to achieve the defined goals during the eighteen months of the program while continuing employment

Agency/Organization/Institution (A/O/I) will provide:

• Support of the applicant’s agency/organization/institution for participation in the Leadership Academy and in the attainment of the identified project goals (time, resources, etc.)

Application Information

The following materials represent a complete application:

• Contact Information Form for mentor and mentee
• Resume, abbreviated CV or biographical statement (mentor and mentee)
• Personal leadership goals and a leadership challenge project plan
• Letter of endorsement from agency/organization/institution

The application proces will open in the Fall 2009.  Please visit our website for updated information.

TO REQUEST MORE INFORMATION

The Honor Society of Nursing

Sigma Theta Tau International
International Leadership Institute
550 West North Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
Telephone: +1 317 634 8171
Fax: +1 317 634 8188
E-mail:  leadership@stti.iupui.edu