The nursing leadership training program was created from the vision the bestest nurse. Renske Karens-van Vliet, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and care innovation project leader, talks about the vision of nursing leadership: 'We want to create an environment where leadership is facilitated and encouraged. Through support programs on nursing leadership, we want to ensure the development of nurses. Role models in the Máxima Center are visible and recognizable leaders. Professional leadership is also expressed through the active position of the Nursing Advisory Council (VAR), coaching team leaders and best practice nurses. This leads to higher quality care and results in high satisfaction among children and parents.'
Leadership program
One such support program is on nursing leadership. A pilot training program in which 12 nurses participated. Yvette van Beuningen, care coordinator, helped create the program, and pediatric oncology nurse Maxime Kriellaars was one of the 2022 participants. 'The program consists of six modules,' they explain. 'Important components are: personal leadership, change management, communication skills and influencing, innovation and strategy. Especially the accompanying intervision meetings with case studies provide inspiration. Some modules include a (change) assignment to improve care in your own department for children and parents, but also for nurses.'
Development
According to Yvette, the theme is very topical: ‘Nursing leadership is often thought of as leadership, but in fact every nurse shows leadership in their daily work. As a nurse you exert influence on care close to the patient but you also have a role in identifying bottlenecks at other levels. Every nurse has a lot of specialized knowledge and experience, but needs time to think through the entire care process and make decisions. You do need theory and tools for that, such as on personal leadership. What leadership style do you have, what are your strengths and what are your pitfalls? What exactly is the Máxima Center like as an organization? But also how do you handle situations? What do you say and not say, but above all: how do you say it?’
Leadership
'The program gives me tools on how to improve processes and solve problems systematically. And also what my strengths are in my approach. It enriches me in my work,' says Maxime. 'Research shows that when nurses show more leadership, the quality of care, safety culture and cooperation improve. As a result, nurses' job satisfaction increases and dropout decreases. Nursing leadership ensures that nurses critically reflect on their work habits and dare to challenge and solve problems in daily care. Ultimately, children and parents also experience better quality care. That's great, isn't it?’
Grant
This program was a pilot and has been given an extra boost by the grant awarded by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Renske Karens: 'We are pleased to have been selected by the ministry for a grant to stimulate participation among nurses. Therefore, we can continue in the Máxima Center with the nursing leadership program for our nursing students. By the way, in the international context, leadership for nurses is also a focus of attention. At an international congress I read the slogan 'Leadership in nursing is everywhere - but is often invisible' and we will continue to work on that in the Máxima Center!’