Shaping Future Healthcare Leaders with the QNI’s Ambition to Lead Programme
2 April 2024
The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) is rebranding its leadership programme for experienced nurses working in the community, primary care and social care. The Ambition to Lead Programme, formerly known as Aspiring Nurse Leaders programme, is now also open to Allied Health Professionals (AHPs), as well as nurses working in the community with a minimum of five years of experience.
The programme is designed to support the professional development of the participants to become future leaders in healthcare. Participants will engage in a diverse range of learning experiences, including presentations, online sessions, lectures, and group work, collectively contributing to a transformative 12-month journey. With a strong emphasis on mentorship and hands-on projects, the programme aims to develop resilient and forward-thinking professionals ready to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Applications for 2024 are now open.
Background and current needs
Originally launched in 2017 and developed by Queen’s Nurse Sharon Aldridge-Bent MBE, the QNI leadership programmes have empowered over 150 nurses, marking a significant milestone in fostering leadership excellence within the healthcare community. Dr Cate Wood, The QNI’s Director of Nursing Programmes (Leadership & Standards), has expressed appreciation for the foundations laid by her predecessor, emphasising a commitment to building upon existing strengths while also refining the programme to meet current needs and incorporate feedback from past participants.
At the QNI, we are dedicated to fostering a new generation of leaders who are equipped to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare. With the reimagined programme, we aim to empower nurses and AHPs from diverse backgrounds to unlock their full potential and drive positive change in healthcare in the community.
Dr Cate WoodFeedback from employers
Employers across the healthcare sector recognise the significant value of the QNI’s Ambition to Lead programme provides in upskilling their nursing and AHP staff. Steph Lawrence MBE, Executive Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals from Leeds Community Healthcare and Leeds GP Confederation, highlights the transformative impact of the programme and benefits to the employing organisation:
Many of our staff have now been on the [renamed] Ambition to Lead programme and I would encourage all employers to consider sending their staff. Our staff learn new skills and really progress and develop their leadership skills. The programme is for nurses and AHP’s and our organisation has benefitted hugely from it due to the enhanced skills and knowledge our staff have brought back to the organisation. The staff themselves have also developed new networks and this in turn benefits them and the organisation, learning from others and sharing ideas. We continue to send our staff on this amazing programme.
Steph Lawrence MBEFeedback from participants
Programme graduate Queen’s Nurse Lisa Gavin, Clinical Service Manager (Gypsy, Roma Traveller & Inclusion Health) from Surrey, reflects on her journey:
This course has been a wonderful opportunity to grow and develop my leadership experience, both with the in-person sessions and in the intervening periods. To share knowledge and experiences with senior nurses, from a wide variety of nursing roles and services, has been both transformative and supportive. We have been able to learn from each other and positively encourage and challenge each other to expand our professional horizons and to negotiate our various journeys through senior systems.
For myself, the mentorship has been so much more than support and encouragement: introductions and connections have been made at regional and national level and I have learned new skills to influence the development of Inclusion Health to build on the work that I have been developing locally. I have been encouraged and challenged to approach my role with a new and more strategic view and to have the confidence to value my own contribution to establishing an Inclusion Health approach to community health care.
Lisa Gavin, Queen’s Nurse
Back to News