In health care, effective leadership means more than overseeing daily operations—it’s about driving meaningful, lasting change. That’s exactly what the Australian College of Nursing Institute of Leadership’s Nurse Director Leadership Program (NDLP) is designed to do. This six-month program supports experienced registered nurses to develop the leadership capabilities needed to build high-performing teams and foster cultures of success and achievement.
A key part of the program is the opportunity to lead a quality improvement project. Far from being a theoretical task, this project becomes a real and impactful part of each participant’s leadership journey. Through the process of planning, executing, and evaluating a project within their own workplace, nurses apply what they’re learning in the program to create genuine improvements in care, culture, or systems.
Quality improvement (QI) in health care refers to the process of identifying areas for change and taking action to improve outcomes—whether that’s enhancing patient safety, streamlining workflows, or creating more supportive learning environments. Within the NDLP, participants are encouraged to choose a QI focus that resonates with their experience and aspirations. The result is a deeply personal and professionally transformative learning experience.
Here’s how two alumni brought their projects to life.
Amy Cowan MACN: Supporting enrolled nurses transitioning to Bachelor studies
“The NDLP played a pivotal role in the success of my quality improvement initiative aimed at supporting enrolled nurses (ENs) transitioning to Bachelor of Nursing (BN) studies. This initiative focused on addressing challenges faced by ENs, including academic skills development, role differentiation, and work-life balance, through tailored interventions such as EN-specific orientation days, revised curriculum design, and embedded academic support. The program’s tools and frameworks were instrumental in structuring and implementing these changes, resulting in improved student retention and engagement.
The NDLP provided critical leadership insights and skills that enhanced the effectiveness of the initiative. Through a week of immersive learning and reflection, the program emphasised authenticity, role modelling, and strategic thinking. Confidence-building activities empowered me to navigate workplace challenges, focus on strengths, and inspire the next generation of nurses. It reinforced the importance of collaboration and connecting with others to drive system-wide transformation in nursing practice.
The program’s impact continues to shape my leadership journey as I pursue a PhD focusing on nursing leadership and workplace culture. The NDLP has inspired my renewed sense of purpose to create lasting change in nursing and health care.”
— Amy Cowan MACN
Leisa Jackson MACN: Reimagining falls prevention
Leisa’s quality improvement project, ‘CPO (Constant Patient Observations) and Falls In Older Persons / Cognitively Impaired Clients for Appropriate Resource Allocation’, focused on reducing costs and enhancing patient care by rethinking how falls prevention is delivered at the bedside.
“The Nurse Director Leadership Program has had a truly amazing and profound effect on my practice and gave me the confidence to change positions and experience a different practice. The educators were amazing and well-knowledgeable. The other students were so amazing. I would absolutely recommend this course and others to all the nursing staff who want to grow their practice and develop networking with others and plunge into a quality improvement project—then sign up. The educator exposes and gives you different tools and strategies to help you swim and succeed in nursing management. Thank you, it was wonderful.”
— Leisa Jackson MACN
Lead the change you want to see
If you’ve ever looked around your workplace and thought, “We could do this better”—this program is for you.
At the ACN Institute of Leadership, we believe nurses are not just part of the health system—they are key to transforming it. Through the NDLP you’ll gain the skills, support, and confidence to lead meaningful change where it matters most.
Designed for registered nurses with more than six years of professional experience—particularly those in health or aged care leadership roles—the program combines a five-day face-to-face masterclass with six months of action learning sets, mentoring, and a structured quality improvement project.
You’ll explore key leadership themes including team development, clinical governance, nursing strategy, communication, and health economics—always with a focus on practical application and sustainable improvement.
You’ll be guided by experienced nurse leaders, surrounded by passionate peers, and challenged to step outside your comfort zone. Most importantly, you’ll take everything you’ve learned and apply it—by leading a quality improvement project that leaves a real impact on your team, your patients, and your profession.
Visit the ACN Institute of Leadership website to learn more and take the next step in your leadership career.
