On Campus Summary: "Teamwork & Collaboration"
Reflection from Semester Saturday and key take-aways related to program outcomes and DNP Essentials.
While I am by no means an avid football fan, I felt that, given the season, the visual of a engaged football team was appropriate imagery while composing this reflection.
Innovative Leadership Principles
When the agenda was sent out, I was very excited to see listed the morning 'Fireside Chat' with Dr. Pappas and Dean McCauley, as the first Semester Saturday very engaging and inspirational. So, just as anticipated, the discussion was an incredible start to the day; Dr. Pappas and Dean McCauley’s collaboration is an exemplary representation of innovative leadership and dedication to integration of research, academics and clinical practice. Dr. Pappas made the key point, "evidence informs practice, but practice also informs evidence," which very nicely describes exactly why this partnership is much needed to transform healthcare. Direct application of their shared vision can be immediately seen in the DNP program with exciting integration of coursework (702 and 712) and clinical partnership with Emory University Hospital Midtown and examining their care transition data to work towards transforming healthcare and scholarship through course completion. Additionally, Dr. Pappas’ comments on frameworks for successful partnerships and collaboration and the importance of relationships was very insightful; the assigned readings also enhanced this dialogue on leadership and relationships by adding the perspective of holding high value in cultivating trust and fostering joy in work.
DNP Essentials: Essential II: Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking; Essential III: Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice; Essential VI: Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
Program Outcomes: Systems Leadership; Scholarship & Evidence Based Practice; Interprofessional Collaboration; Quality Improvement & Safety
Information Literacy
The session with Sharon Leslie on search strategies and citation management tools was exceptionally informative and will dramatically improve efficiency and effectiveness when performing literature reviews and writing papers. This session should definitely be a staple in Semester Saturday curriculum.
DNP Essentials: Essential III: Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice
Program Outcomes: Scholarship & Evidence Based Practice; Information Management
Professional Influence & Strategic Engagement
The afternoon networking exercises offered a great chance to, 1) practice effective communication with constructive feedback, and, 2) establish connections for both immediate and future collaboration. Beyond skill building of succinctly describing our individual practice / project interests and goals, the importance of also effectively defining our role as a DNP (i.e., as compared to PhD) to whomever we are speaking with was reinforced. Reviewing effective methods for providing constructive feedback was also beneficial (i.e., Start, stop, continue, consider).
The panel discussion on policy and leadership was engaging and informative; it was a great review of available platforms for getting involved and being informed. The discussion on political barriers to effective marketing of these great political / advocacy resources was alarming and further highlighted the importance of involvement and leveraging influence.
DNP Essentials: Essential II: Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking; Essential V: Health Care Policy for Advocacy in Health Care; Essential VI: Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes
Program Outcomes: Health Policy, Finance & Advocacy; Systems Leadership; Interprofessional Collaboration
Lastly, the dedicated time for course-specific information at the end of the day was a great way to end the day for any needed assignment clarification. Overall, the structure of the day was exceptional in allowing for role socialization and professional skill development.
