Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion
Summer 8-8-2025
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Debbie Cline
Abstract
PURPOSE The focus of this quality improvement project was to identify potential future leaders in the Nursing Professional Development (NPD) department at a large hospital system using a succession planning model, strategy organizations use to cultivate individuals with the potential to assume future leadership roles.
BACKGROUND A gap existed in deliberate career planning within the NPD department. A quality improvement project was developed utilizing evidence-based interventions including development of professional objectives, professional development opportunities, and identification of aspiring leaders in nursing education.
METHODOLOGY Participants developed a career map to outline career goals, created an action plan for their professional development goals that aligned with nursing education leadership role competencies, and identified a mentor to offer guidance and support. Additionally, before and after the construction of the career map, participants completed the Leadership in Nursing Education (LNE©) assessment to evaluate the frequency with which they believed they were involved in nursing education leadership tasks. The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle method was utilized to refine changes in the project.
RESULTS Of the participants, 86% completed their career map. The average LNE© total score increased by one point from the pre- to the post-assessment and three potential nursing education leaders were identified from the baseline of zero.
IMPLICATIONS These findings suggest that incorporating career mapping and leadership readiness assessments is an evidence-based approach to succession planning and identifying future nursing education leaders.
Keywords
succession planning, career mapping, leadership readiness assessment, nursing professional development, leadership, nursing education, nursing leadership, nursing education leadership
Recommended Citation
Reba L. Carethers, "Nursing Education Leadership Succession Planning: Utilization of Career Mapping for Professional Development" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract. 103.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dnp_abstract/103
Included in
Educational Leadership Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, Nursing Administration Commons