Excellence in Public Health Nursing

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Excellence in Leadership Program

What is the Excellence in Leadership Program?
Excellence in Leadership is a professional development program specifically designed for experienced public health nurses who are interested in developing or enhancing their leadership skills. The program includes face-to-face and distance learning sessions in which principles of leadership and mentoring are presented. Following these sessions, participants will serve as mentors for nurses in Missouri who are enrolled in the Principles of Public Health Nursing: Population-Based Practice course.

What is a mentor?
A mentor is described as a supporter, friend, guide or coach. Mentoring is a process of teaching that takes place within a personal, reciprocal relationship. As a mentor you will assist and support a less experienced local public health agency nurse who is enrolled in the web-based course.

A mentoring experience benefits the mentor as much or more than the mentee. The mentor learns new things, experiences the joy of helping someone, and increases job satisfaction. You should be a mentor if you enjoy learning and teaching others, have a good sense of humor, are enthusiastic and motivated, are dependable and well organized and have a passion for public health nursing. It has been said that mentoring is the greatest gift public health nurses can give each other.

What are the benefits of participating in the program?
The course work and mentoring experience provide an opportunity to:
· Expand your leadership skills
· Meet and network with other public health nurses
· Share your knowledge and experience with others
· Participate in enhancing the practice of public health nursing in Missouri
· Develop professional ability to coach/mentor others
· Earn nursing continuing education contact hours

What is the program content?
Session I:
· Public health issues in U.S. and Missouri
· Ten essential services and core functions
· Performance standards
· National and Missouri issues and challenges
· Public health nursing
· Current issues and trends affecting public health nursing
· Evolution of public health nursing roles
· Scope and standards
· Cornerstones of public health nursing
· Code of ethics
· Current and expanded roes of public health nurses
· Concepts of nursing role
· Differentiated practice and models of practice
· Application in public health
· Conflict resolution and negotiation
· Personality types
· Personal vision
· Change
· Political action and advocacy
· Role of the professional organization (MONA)
· Current legislative issues
· Traits of a leader and leadership styles

Session II: Online Chat
· Minnesota Model -Public Health Interventions

Session III:
· Systems theory and use in practice
· Adult learning principles and mentoring
· Group facilitation techniques

What will be my responsibilities?
Participants are expected to attend and participate in all the training sessions and actively participate as a mentor for at least one student over a 12-week period. You will assist your mentee in assigned projects, and attend one or two distance learning sessions in your district and one face-to-face meeting to celebrate at the end of the course. As a mentor, your responsibility is to provide support and guidance, not evaluation of classroom or practicum experience.

What will I learn?
Excellence in Leadership includes topics such as current issues in public health and nursing practice, leadership skills, evidence based decision-making, systems thinking, policy development, group facilitation skills and adult learning principles. Content is presented in various ways including lectures, writing activities, videos, and group activities.

What does it cost?
There is no cost for the training sessions, lodging, or food expenses while at the training.

How is the program structured?
The program consists of a 2 ½ day session on January 14-16, 2004, an online chat later in January, and a 2-day session on February 5-6, 2004. The leadership sessions will be held at the Rickman Center in Jefferson City and will include activities in the evening. Participants are expected to stay at the Rickman Center. Following completion of the leadership course, participants will serve as mentors for students enrolled in a web-based public health nursing course for 12 weeks beginning February 2004.

Who can apply?
The number of participants in the Excellence in Leadership program is limited, requiring a competitive selection process. Nurses meeting the following criteria may apply:
· Employed in a nursing position at a public health setting in Missouri: local public health agencies, Department of Health and Senior Services, and school health
· Have a BSN or an ADN or Diploma and have completed a baccalaureate level course in community/public health nursing
· Three (3) years of public health nursing experience with a population based focus. Advanced education may substitute for experience
· Employer/supervisor support
· Proficient in basic computer skills including using the Internet
· Have Internet access and individual e-mail

How do I apply?
Applications are downloadable at: http://www.nursingfutures.org/hrsa/forms.html, or by contacting David Zellmer, with the Sinclair School of Nursing, at (573) 884-8522 or by e-mail at: nursing301@missouri.edu.
Questions should be directed to Glenda Kelly, Public Health Nursing Liaison, Department of Health and Senior Services, at (573) 751-6170 or kellyg@dhss.state.mo.us.