How many nurses can a health care organization support or nominate for WVNLI? An organization can put forward as many applications of emerging leaders as desired each year. Organizations should be aware that their support means that they will, if their applicant is selected, support that applicant via paid time off from work during onsite sessions, travel and lodging for onsite sessions, and matching funds or in-kind contribution in the amount of 500.00 to support the local recruitment and retention project. Organizations should take these items into consideration when deciding how many applicants to support annually. In addition, organizations should know that not all applicants may be selected for participation each year, so WVNLI urges organizations to prioritize their support of applicants.
How many nurses are selected each year for participation in WVNLI? At the current time, funding is available to support 30 nurses per year for participation in WVNLI.
Materials say that preference will be given to bachelor’s prepared nurses. I don’t hold a bachelor’s degree. Should I apply? Yes, absolutely. All applications are looked at in total. Education level will be used as a deciding factor when all other factors are equal.
What if I’m not available for a particular on site session? As a participant in WVNLI, you are expected to participate in all onsite sessions. You will be notified of all sessions at least 3-6 months in advance, if not longer. It is essential to your success in this program that you participate fully in all learning experiences. Emergency situations which cause a participant to not be able to attend an on site session will be handled on a case by case basis.
What if I change jobs during the year that I’m participating in WVNLI? As a participant in WVNLI, you have been supported by your employer, and they have invested in your development as a leader. During changes in employers, WVNLI will work with you to identify ways in which that level of support, and hence, your participation in WVNLI, can be preserved.
How much time outside of the onsite sessions should a participant plan on needing to successfully complete the program? In addition to the onsite sessions, which are held quarterly, participants also attend a 2 hour webcast quarterly. This webcast, meant to enhance and supplement the learning occurring during the intersession period, can be viewed from your home or work computer. The leadership project, another important component of the leadership development program, will require time for planning, implementation and evaluation. Finally, outside reading, meetings with mentors, and other development activities are designed for your self development; the amount of time spent on all of these activities is really driven by your own needs.
Is the project intended to be institution wide, or can it be for a single unit or department? The leadership project is intended to address issues of recruitment and retention of nurses in your home institution, and therefore is driven by institutional needs. You will work with WVNLI staff and faculty, as well as the leadership in your home institution, to identify a project that will have the highest potential impact on the problems identified in your institution. Therefore, the project could address problems at any level; unit, department, or system wide.
Who are the mentors and how are they assigned? Each participant in WVNLI completes, in the first onsite session, an analysis of their own leadership development needs. Using those needs, project staff will identify individuals considered leaders in the state or region, who could mentor participants in their development of those skills. Mentors may be leaders in business, education, government, health care or other sectors, who are willing to volunteer their time to assist in your development. Mentors are assigned based on your geographical area, to allow for ease of communication and face to face meetings.
