Empowerment of front‐line leaders in an online learning, certificate programme

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of an online learning, certificate programme for front-line nurse leaders' sense of empowerment. BACKGROUND: Front-line leaders play a crucial role in health care. Current training is often inadequate. The Institute of Medicine report on The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2010) recommends nurses at all levels receive training for their role. METHODS: A pre- to post-study design was used; instruments included Conditions for Work Effectiveness Questionnaire, Psychological Empowerment Scale, intent to stay, and self-reported knowledge and effectiveness of intervention questions. This study evaluated the effects of online learning for 29 acute care front-line leaders in the USA and Australia. RESULTS: Structural empowerment significantly improved, pre-assessment (M = 18.50, SD = 1.6940) to post-assessment (M = 19.47, SD = 1.6940). There was no significant difference in intent to stay or overall psychological empowerment. Participants agreed (24/29, 83%) the intervention contributed to their 'sense of empowerment in their role' and 'ability to create an empowering work environment'. CONCLUSION: Online learning was effective and could be integrated into orientation and/or continuing education plans to develop empowering work environments. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Online learning may be a means of educating and empowering front-line leaders for their role.