The Ambassador Project: Evaluating a Five-Year Nationwide Leadership Program to Bridge the gap Between Policy and District Nursing Practice

Authors Inge Wolbers, Pieterbas Lalleman, Lisette Schoonhoven, Nienke Bleijenberg
Published in Policy, Politics and Nursing Practice
Publication date 2021
Research groups Proactive care for older people living at home
Type Article

Summary

District nurses have a crucial position in healthcare provision and are expected to use leadership practices to ensure optimal quality patient care. To better equip them, a leadership program named the ambassador project was developed to support the development of a liaison role between policy and district nursing practice. This research aims to evaluate from different perspectives the impact of this nationwide, five-year leadership program for district nurses at the organizational, regional, and societal levels. A mixed-methods study was conducted using two focus groups based on peer-to-peer shadowing (n =14), semistructured interviews (n =13), and an online questionnaire (n =45). The analysis shows that the impact of a nationwide leadership program for district nurses was perceived as predominantly positive, and nurses experienced an increase in courage, assertiveness, professional pride, and leadership skills. They obtained confidence in representing the group of district nurses at the organizational, regional, and societal levels when speaking with various key stakeholders from the healthcare system. They were able to bridge the gaps among daily practice, policymaking, and politics by using translations and shaping actions and information into terms suiting the needs of those involved.

On this publication contributed

  • Inge Wolbers | Researcher | Research group Chronic Diseases
    Inge Wolbers
    • Researcher
    • Research group: Proactive care for older people living at home
  • Nienke Bleijenberg PhD | Professor | Research group Chronic Diseases
    Nienke Bleijenberg
    • Professor
    • Research group: Proactive care for older people living at home

Language English
Published in Policy, Politics and Nursing Practice
Year and volume 22 4
Key words Community Care, district nurses, evaluation, health policy, leadership program, leadership development
Digital Object Identifier 10.1177/15271544211050917
Page range 259-270

Inge Wolbers

Inge Wolbers | Researcher | Research group Chronic Diseases

Inge Wolbers

  • Researcher
  • Research group: Proactive care for older people living at home