Doha, 31 March 2014
Approximately 240 nurse leaders comprising head nurses and directors of nursing from across Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) are attending a program designed to strengthen their competencies in leadership and management. The program, which will run for three months, was developed in partnership with the US-based Partners Healthcare and is part of HMC's strategy for developing a world-class nursing service.
"The Nurse Leadership Program is part of ongoing professional development opportunities offered at HMC in order to help nurses meet the challenges of the evolving healthcare environment. Nurses who successfully complete the leadership program will acquire the skills and competencies required to lead healthcare teams, to increase in operational efficiency and improved patient outcomes," HMC's Nursing Executive Director Professor Ann-Marie Cannaby said.
Addressing the nurse leaders at the program, Prof Cannaby said: "A hospital cannot run without nurses; you are integral to patient care and to everything that happens in hospitals. That's why supporting leadership in nursing is really important. HMC is very committed to investing in the development of your leadership skills as part of our Nursing Strategy, and building on the gains of this program to support the delivery of the safest, most effective and compassionate care for our patients."
"All nurses are leaders. Nurses demonstrate leadership by providing, facilitating, and promoting the best possible care for their patients. Leadership requires self-knowledge, and helping nurses to understand how their personal beliefs, values and behavior affect others is intrinsically linked to improved care and patient outcomes," HMC's Nursing Assistant Executive Director Elizabeth Ann Thiebe said.
The program involves interactive workshops focused on two core competencies: managing self and leading others. It is structured to help participants gain a better understanding of their own leadership development goals and apply their experiences from the program back in the work setting managing staff nurses. Top faculty members from Partners Healthcare, representing nursing operations, quality and safety, leadership development and human resources, will be working with HMC in implementing the leadership program.
"Head nurses have one of the most vital roles in all healthcare systems. We're seeing this globally, and Partners Healthcare has been working with nursing teams all over the world in helping to develop this role," Partners Healthcare International's Corporate Nursing Director and course organizer Elizabeth Brown said.
She pointed out that head nurses play a key role in developing a safe environment for patients as they work closely with the staff nurses at the patient bedside, and they also bring messages between top leadership and staff and across the organization.
Thiebe added: "To be effective in their leadership roles, head nurses need the support of the directors of nursing, whom they report to, and this is why an accompanying Director of Nursing program is offered to enable directors to support the growth of the head nurses and empower them to apply their learning in their practice."
After completing the program, participants will also receive continuing education unit (CEU) credits, through Partners Healthcare International, from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the world's largest and most prestigious nurse credentialing organization, which aims to promote excellence in nursing and healthcare globally.
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About HMC:
Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is the principal public healthcare provider for the State of Qatar. The Corporation manages eight hospitals along with further specialist clinical, educational and research facilities, and is growing in capacity each year around the diverse needs of the evolving population. HMC's ambition is to become an academic health system; a world leading center of excellence in clinical care, medical education and research that transforms into significant clinical advancements.
HMC believes in excellence in healthcare, education and research with each supporting the other to provide world-class quality patient care in a safe and healing environment.
As well as three general hospitals situated in the most densely populated areas of Qatar, HMC also manages five specialist hospitals, looking after patients with the most prevalent conditions, including cancer, heart conditions, rehabilitation, and a hospital providing specialist treatment for women. HMC also operates the national Ambulance Service and a home healthcare service.
The Corporation was the first public healthcare system outside the United States to achieve Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation for all hospitals simultaneously. JCI accreditation is based on quality and safety across all clinical and management functions. HMC is also the first hospital system in the Middle East to achieve institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education - International (ACGME-I), which demonstrates excellence in the way medical graduates are trained through residency, internship and fellowship programs.
For more information, please contact:
Joan Pauline Acevedo at jacevedo@hmc.org.qa
Corporate Communications Department
Hamad Medical Corporation
© Press Release 2014
