Institute focuses on leadership development and improved outcomes in health care workforce
The Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Arizona State University's College of Nursing & Health Innovation have joined forces to create the Workforce Outcomes Research and Leadership Development Institute, also known as the WORLD-Institute.
The WORLD-Institute, a collaborative academic-practice consortium, will research, develop and implement evidence-based approaches to optimal leadership development for clinicians across all roles in the delivery of health care. Members of the new consortium will identify, share and optimize resources, and invest in the creation of new knowledge in leadership development.
Founding sponsors of the WORLD-Institute include Jacqueline Somerville, PhD, RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services at Brigham and Women's Hospital; Patricia Reid Ponte, DNSc, RN, FAAN, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Executive Director of Oncology Nursing and Clinical Services at Brigham and Women's Hospital; and Teri Pipe, PhD, RN, Dean of the College of Nursing & Health Innovation at Arizona State University.
"While there is evidence in the literature by Dr. Linda Aiken and others showing a strong relationship between the educational level of nurses and the clinical outcomes of patients, there is less available evidence about the relationship between nursing leadership competency and clinical and fiscal outcomes," Pipe said. "Measuring nursing leadership and understanding the most effective ways of developing nurse leaders—from the student experience all the way to the executive level—will be part of the work of the WORLD-Institute."
Members of the consortium will study and test the impact of new leadership development models on the effectiveness of clinical leaders and their influence over clinical, workforce and organizational outcomes. Anticipated results include improved effectiveness, productivity and joy in the workplace; healthy and supportive work environments for staff; and improved outcomes for patients, families and their health care providers.
Pipe sees a distinct advantage for the academic community as they focus on preparing graduates to be practice-ready leaders and strong professional assets for health care organizations. "We will be able to partner for research, and we will also be able to better understand how to make sure our curriculum reflects a strong and effective leadership development trajectory for students," she said.
The WORLD-Institute welcomes new members, partners and scholars who are dedicated to advancing evidence-based scholarly research and strengthening leadership potential in clinicians and health care providers. The consortium supports the mission of two prominent associations dedicated to advancing leadership development: the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE).
Provided by Arizona State University