Nurse leaders from across the state continue to advance their skills and professional impact through interactive, content rich sessions building foundational to advanced leadership skills in the 10-session SDAHO Nurse Leadership program. To date, eight sessions have been successfully completed each focused on developing the knowledge and skills required for effective nursing leadership in today’s complex healthcare environment.
Topics covered so far include:
- Communication – Crucial Conversations: Participants examined best practices and demonstrated effective communication techniques for ensuring patient safety, improving care outcomes, fostering teamwork, and reducing the risk of errors and misunderstandings.
- AONL Core Nurse Leadership Competencies: We reviewed the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) competencies, helping leaders distinguish between foundational and advanced skills necessary for effective management.
- SD Board of Nursing: Participants delved into the purpose and focus of the SDBON to protect the public by regulating nursing licensure, practice, and education thereby safeguarding health, and public welfare in South Dakota.
- Nursing Inquiry: Through research, evidence-based practice, and quality performance improvement, participants gained tools to foster a culture of scientific inquiry and continuous improvement within their organization.
- SDAHO Post Acute Partners in Care Conference: Participants were able to attend a statewide conference expanding their professional knowledge through expert led sessions on current trends and best practices, while also providing valuable networking opportunities with peers and leaders across the healthcare field.
- Nurse Advocacy: Advocacy and policy awareness are essential as nurses can influence healthcare decisions by ensuring policies accurately reflect the realities of patient care and drive improvements in health outcomes, workplace safety, and professional standards.
- Health Care Finance: Understanding financial principles, value and productivity in health care has empowered our nurse leaders to make informed decisions that positively impact both patient care and organizational sustainability.
- Legal Aspects of Human Resources: Participants examined numerous complex employment laws related to hiring, firing, workplace safety and discrimination thereby protecting both employees and employers from legal risks and fostering a fair, ethical, and safe work environment.
- Innovative Leadership practices: Participants explored adaptive leadership styles, learning that flexibility and situational awareness are key to leading teams through change and uncertainty.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants noting the immediate applicability of the concepts learned. One participant shared, “The idea to train people who interview job candidates, so they follow the rules/law, and best practice of interviewing potential staff members (was valuable)”. Another highlighted, “I am not always included in finance topics, so general knowledge will assist in my job role”.
Our upcoming sessions will focus on Health Care Ethics and culminate with the 2025 SDAHO Annual Convention, offering further opportunities for professional development, networking, and engagement with current health care trends. The SDAHO Nurse Leadership program has empowered nurse leaders to navigate complex systems, influence policy, and drive innovation in care delivery.
Thank you to all participants and presenters for your dedication to advancing nurse leadership in South Dakota. Together we are shaping the future of healthcare in our communities.
