Leadership Development

Endorsed by CNSA in January, 2009

BE IT RESOLVED that CNSA accepts this position statement on Leadership Development.

BE IT RESOLVED that the CNSA BODs and CNSA chapters endorse this position statement by lobbying key stakeholders and their individual schools to: a) recognize CNSA leadership activities within the undergraduate curriculum and b) encourage students to become involved in nursing leadership at the local, provincial, national and international level whether through CNSA or another nursing organization.

Introduction

     The Canadian Nursing Students Association (CNSA) is the national voice for Nursing students. One major goal of the Association is to create opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills within the nursing profession.  It is well known and documented that there is a nursing shortage not only in Canada but also at an International level. Initiatives and plans have been developed to educate, recruit and retain front-line nurses across Canada, however the fostering of future nurse leaders at the undergraduate level is often overlooked. In the past succession planning in regards to the development of future nursing leaders was neglected as nurses faced budget cuts, layoffs and downsizing. Gregory (2003) affirms, “As is the case with practice, administration and research, nursing education is experiencing a ‘leadership crisis within’ whereby our most seasoned colleagues are retiring in greater numbers.” (p. 40). This has resulted in an increased need for upcoming nursing students to be both educated and supported in the area of leadership and career development as their predecessors look to pass the leadership torch on to new hands.

     Because CNSA is privy to attend meetings with key stakeholders such as CASN, CNA, ACEN, CFNU etc and in a position to speak on behalf of all Canadian Nursing Students, it is imperative that we vocalize the need for formalized recognition and encouragement of student nurse leaders as well as the development of course credit for this work within the students’ education.

     The development of Canada's future nurse leaders should not be left to chance. It is imperative that key stakeholders and students' themselves advocate for leadership opportunities and skill development to become a recognized part of nursing school curriculum (French, 2004). The majority of nursing schools identify leadership development as one of their overall objectives but lack the ability to look beyond the clinical and classroom schoolwork necessities. Nursing educators need to become more aware of the opportunities their students are taking and may be involved in as a method to enhance their educational experience.

     The Canadian Nurses Association's code of ethics also calls upon nurse educators and leaders to advocate for nursing schools that recognize and support professional development at a student nurse level (2008). Ethically, nursing educators need to play a key role in encouraging student leadership as well as working towards incorporating leadership volunteer work into curriculum as well as making leadership development a priority in the curriculum.

     Nursing students across Canada dedicate many hours as local, regional, national and international leaders. When nursing students are asked if their leadership development needs are met the majority answer "no" (CNSA leadership survey, 2008) CNSA is committed to support these students by speaking on their behalf to both improve the leadership development and mentoring provided by CNSA and nursing schools and to advocate for students to receive recognition in the form of class credits as already done in other countries such as in the United States for work with the NSNA (Leadership U website, 2004).

     We know that nursing leadership is needed more now than ever as health care continues to evolve, patient acuity continues to rise and workplace issues steadily become more demanding. Nursing schools, organizations and leaders need to recognize the opportunity of leadership development at the undergraduate level by recognizing student leadership activities as course credit, introducing formalized methods of integrating students into student leadership, becoming a CNSA chapter and supporting versus discouraging their students involvement in nursing leadership activities.

Position Statement

The Canadian Nursing Students Association strongly support the need for both formalized curriculum credit and support by educators that recognizes the nursing leadership initiatives taken on by their students within the Canadian Nursing Students’ Association.

The Canadian Nursing Students Association commits to supporting and providing leadership development opportunities to its members.

SUBMITTED BY:

Danielle Radchenko GN, BScN

Gail Denschuk, RN, BScN

Alanna Carty, SN

References

Canadian Nurses Association (CNA). (2008). Code of ethics: For registered nurses.

CNSA website (2004). Objectives. Retrieved February 19, 2007 from http://www.cnsa.ca/aboutus/objects/

French S. (2004). Leadership perspectives. Challenges to developing and providing nursing leadership. Canadian journal of nursing leadership, 17(4), 37-40.

Gregory DM. (2003). Leadership perspectives. Reaping what we sow: nursing education and leadership in Canada and the United States. Canadian journal of nursing leadership, 16(1), 38-41.

NSNA Leadership U website (2004). Leadership Library. Retrieved February 19, 2007 from http://www.nsnaleadershipu.org/NSNALU/Default.aspx?tabid=28