Congratulations to the individuals who have completed our Emerging Nurse Leader (ENL) program for 2020! To celebrate, we will be profiling the experiences of the participants along with a creative photo which symbolises what being part of the program meant to them.
Our profile articles will focus on four key themes from the experiences of our 2020 ENLs – Leadership, Community, Career Growth and New Opportunities.
Today, ten of our ENLs share with us how participating in the program helped to influence and develop their leadership skills and understanding of nurse leadership.
Arun Thomas MACN
“The ENL program equipped and empowered me with greater confidence and helped me to lead with conviction, courage and purpose while reflecting on my leadership qualities and blind spots. For me, a year of personal and professional growth with exceptional support, networks and mentoring from ACN. To be a panel speaker on the topic ‘Becoming and Being a Nurse Leader’ on International Nurses Day, professional representation on behalf of ACN for Department of Health workshop, volunteering for ACN’s career coaching program, attending the ACN White paper launch at Parliament house Canberra and being appointed as a Multicultural ambassador for Mental Health Foundation Australia were some of the highlights during my ENL journey.”
Elissa Dabkowski MACN
“I loved representing ACN and spending time with undergraduate nursing students, but most of all, I’m proud of the life lessons and self-awareness that I gained from this program. Leadership is not always defined by grand gestures; it’s the little, everyday things we do that can make a difference.”
Kali Baker MACN
“The ENL program has helped to build my confidence in leadership and I wholeheartedly believe in myself, I have felt inspired to undertake a second postgraduate certificate. I am inspired to create positive change within my organisation to improve the care we provide to individuals in the community.”
Gavin Harm MACN
“I have become enlightened because I made new connections and discovered new things about myself. I learned that my ability to lead is limited by my own imagination. This journey revealed new horizons and possibilities for my future nursing practice and showed me I’m not alone in my pursuits.”
Catelyn Richards MACN
“My greatest achievement during my time as an ENL has been the discovery and acceptance of my leadership style. As a servant leader, though I’m not at front and centre all the time – I can still be valuable as a leader influencing change at the grassroots level. I have felt almost self conscious about this up until this year – so building the confidence to assert myself as a leader (without feeling a need to pronounce overt, loud dominance!) has been a monumental step in my leadership journey.”
Michelle Jory MACN
“As an ENL I have learnt to adapt to the ever changing environment of nursing. Working in the emergency department, there is constant change, particularly this year as COVID-19 sought to amplify the demand of emergency services. Of the many leadership skills I have gained as a Stage 3 ENL, becoming adaptive in response to emerging situations has been one of the most valuable.”
Ariel Yokota MACN
“The key offering I received from the ENL program was the focus towards getting prepared. Prepared for the future, my future, the future of what is to come in the nursing profession and the leader I will be. Any pursuit in life will always be steadier if a foundation is built, and that foundation is in the preparation.”
Madeline Ziegler MACN
“The ENL Program pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged my views on leadership. I have expanded my skills and knowledge which has led to me growing both professionally and personally. I am grateful for the mentoring opportunities this program has led to and thrilled I am able to continue mentoring new graduates through their first year in the nursing profession. A huge thank you to my mentor and Stef for their support throughout this program, especially given these unusual circumstances.”
Hannah Skelton MACN
“During the ENL program, in addition to the ACN events, I enjoyed participating in the mentorship program. It meant that all of the lessons I learnt through the webinars, online courses and activities could be reinforced during reflection of leadership in my current working environment. My mentor made me challenge my view of leadership and helped develop my leadership skills further. This could not have been more important then in the rapidly changing health environment that we are currently living in. It empowered me to want to continue to grow and develop as a leader. And inspire others to do the same.”
Amy Humme MACN
“The achievement I am most proud of from my ENL journey would be helping event plan the Becoming and Being a Nurse Leader webinar with the ACN Melbourne Region team. The experience was fantastic and truly valuable in strengthening my leadership abilities and networking skills.”
Would you like to learn more about the ENL program? Head to our website to find out more and to register your interest for future intakes.
