The Global Leadership Mentoring Community: An evaluation of its impact on nursing leadership

Abstract

AbstractAimTo evaluate a year‐long mentorship program, pairing nurses from different regions across the world to support their global leadership capability, and identifying additional consequences of their participation.BackgroundInvestment in developing nurse leaders continues as a strategic global imperative. Building on the first cohort's recommendations, this second program illustrates continued progress.Program evaluationUsing the logic model of program evaluation, this non‐empirical paper uses data collected from anonymized questionnaires and participants’ stories to help improve the program, illustrating innovative practices to develop the confidence and competence of emerging and established nurse leaders globally.DiscussionThe value of mentorship was recognized, and there were gains for both mentors and mentees in the development of leadership confidence and competence. Through engagement and collaboration with the whole community, participants were encouraged to understand their own and others’ cultures avoiding assumptions and stereotypes.ConclusionThis evaluation illustrates that in addition to helping improve future programs, mentorship has enabled the growth of individuals’ skill sets and the confidence to reach out to peers across the world to understand the meaning of global health and to make a meaningful contribution to the challenges they face.Implications for nursing practiceNurse managers should be encouraged to develop and formalize a mentoring culture to benefit the leadership competence and well‐being of their workforce.Implications for nursing policyEvery nurse has a responsibility to invest in nursing leadership for themselves and others. Mentorship can assist nurse leaders to build workforce capability to lead and contribute to the policy agenda locally, nationally, and internationally. Starting early and at the individual level, global mentorship programs can develop leadership expertise to help nurses find their voice and strengthen their confidence and competence to lead and therefore build the strategic leaders of the future.