Collaborative Leadership Education Through Community Partnerships.

Abstract

Background: Nursing leadership development among prelicensure nursing students is critically important to address 21st century standards of care for diverse populations. Entry-level nurses are expected to confidently address issues of health equity, and collaborate, communicate, and lead as members of interprofessional teams in the community.

Method: Using a collaborative learning approach, supported by experiential learning theory, students in the leadership practicum formed team partnerships and engaged with local human services agencies to assess, plan, and implement nursing leadership projects.

Results: Student skills, knowledge, and attitudes were refined in domains including teamwork, interprofessional communication, project development, community collaboration, social justice advocacy, self-reflective practice, and scholarship dissemination.

Conclusion: This practicum course that partnered teams of nursing students with human services agencies was a mutually beneficial plan that promoted health in vulnerable populations and refined nursing leadership qualities in nursing students.