This scholarship provided an invaluable opportunity for me to develop leadership skills, not just within my current role, but for future roles and in many aspects of my personal life. I have not been able to complete a ‘patient improvement’ project due to personal circumstances, but have had many opportunities to develop new leadership skills learnt during this project. It is my intention to complete a ‘patient improvement’ project later in 2017 using these experiences and newly acquired skills; also to build on and consolidate networks and relationships made throughout the process. I have enjoyed the wealth of opportunities to learn and develop as a leader through mentoring, articles, knowledge-sharing with colleagues, in addition to attendance of the following study programs:
The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in Business
- Communication Skills Personal Impact and Influence program. The programme was delivered by RADA and allowed me to develop a rapport to enable more effective communication whilst becoming more engaging and inspiring others.
- Personal Impact Program. The programme was delivered by Charlie Walker–Wise and was of particular help to me because it made me aware of the need to establish a link between my voice and personal presentation, and therefore how to make a positive impact when speaking in public.
My time spent with RADA was particularly valuable I gained an increased understanding of my own personal impact, skills and thought patterns, and how to use them effectively, skills I now employ in my role as ward manager.
The Kings Fund
Release your Potential. A program for new leaders which opened up for me new ideas, through sessions led by Sally Hulks, Assistant Director, and Matthew Rice, Consultant, where I developed further understanding of myself, the extent of my leadership potential, and also of the current health care system, whilst developing skills to work in teams and hold effective meetings.
Florence Nightingale Foundation Annual Conference.
The two day Florence Nightingale conference covered a wide range of influential speakers from Chief executives to student nurses. The conference gave me an opportunity to network with other professionals who share my challenges and build constructive relationships.
The Royal College of Nursing.
Political Leadership Program was a two-day programme. The conference was opened by Ann Jackson Lead, RCN Leadership programme and covered becoming political in leadership and how working at board level, as a leader is crucial to my role. The second day was led by Catherine Eden Director Cumberlege Eden and Partners and allowed me to understand how local government and integration of local authorities operate, identifying the key pressures and drivers. I gained a real interest in understanding what gets Members of Parliament interested in areas of healthcare at a both local and national level, and how I could influence and work with local MPs.
I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity by Florence Nightingale and although I have been unable to complete my proposed project, I feel that I have gained much experience and knowledge in leadership and personal development. I started this scholarship with little confidence and understanding of how I could emerge as a leader and 12 months later my confidence has grown and developed a result of the opportunity I have been so lucky to have been given. I hope to continue over the next 12 months to develop and grow as a leader and continue to use all I have learned on a daily basis to continue to have a positive impact on patient care.