This month sees the conclusion of the Nightingale Challenge 2020, which called upon every large employer of nurses globally to provide leadership training for a cohort of young nurses and midwives over the course of the year.
A number of our talented nurses aged under 35, all in the early stages of a managerial or leadership career (or interested in developing those skills), completed the challenge.
All our ‘Nightingales’ were given resources which included leadership toolkits.
They also accessed a bespoke portfolio of online resources, including e-books and audio-visual content via the Maximus UK learning platform, with topics including communication, coaching, effective leadership and resilience.
Participants were evaluated on a monthly basis, with progress measured against metrics including increased knowledge, greater expertise, enhanced communication, greater confidence, improved relationships and improved leadership skills.
Claire Slater, one of the Nightingale Nurses, said:
“I took part in the Challenge as I enjoy training others and sharing knowledge. I wanted to develop these skills with a view to progressing to a training role.
“The Nightingale Project resources boosted my confidence and equipped me to lead training sessions, which were facilitated by my manager. I would never have gained this experience had it not been for the Challenge, and I’ve now organised the skills and experience I’ve acquired into a portfolio to support my application for training roles in the future.”
The Covid-19 pandemic presented particular challenges for nurses taking part, however the Nightingale training resources provided useful additional skills to help them adapt and progress.
Thomas McHugh, a nurse and Functional Assessor, said:
“As well as helping with my career development, taking part in the Nightingale Challenge has helped me adjust to some of the challenges presented by the pandemic, for instance working remotely.
“It’s also built my confidence, and I’m now more equipped to support and mentor younger team members as a result.”
Speaking about the Challenge, Stephen King, Maximus UK Head of Talent & Development, said:
“While the pandemic has presented challenges for colleagues participating in the Nightingale project, we are delighted with the level of commitment they have shown, and with the progress they have made in terms of acquiring new skills and building confidence.
“We will continue to provide leadership opportunities and support for nurses at all stages of their careers.”
As the Nightingale Challenge 2020 comes to an end, the commitment from Maximus UK to continuous professional development for nurses within the business is ongoing.
