Nightingale Challenge wraps up

The international nursing and midwifery program, the Nightingale Challenge, has concluded after 18 months of inspiring and connecting nurses and midwives from across our District and around the world. Its purpose was to develop the next generation of early career nurses and midwives as leaders. Seventy-eight nurses and midwives from SESLHD took part in the program.

Participants enrolled in leadership programs and were given the opportunity to connect with leaders, both locally and internationally through Nursing Now and Facebook. They also had access to webinars and a compendium of resources to support their leadership development.

Karen Tuqiri, Acting Director of Nursing and Midwifery, SESLHD said: “Over the past 18 months I’ve seen how the Nightingale Challenge has supported the development of our up-and-coming nursing and midwifery leaders. I look forward to seeing many of these emerging leaders progress to great heights in their careers. Moving forward, we will continue offering training and educational opportunities for our staff.”
 
A special workshop and celebratory event - Future Proofing Your Leadership Development - recently allowed some of our local participants to meet face to face, after COVID-19 prevented any group learning exercises over the past year. This workshop provided an opportunity for the participants to reflect on their leadership journey, create new networks and make an action plan for their future leadership development beyond the Nightingale Challenge.

In his opening address, Tobi Wilson, Chief Executive, SESLHD, congratulated participants for completing the Nightingale Challenge and shared how much he values leadership in healthcare and the importance of leadership development programs.

Throughout the day, key interactive sessions included topics on leadership and mentoring. Directors of nursing from across the District were invited to attend the afternoon certificate presentation with Ms Tuqiri presenting certificates of completion to all participants.

Catherine Brennan