In 1991, the New York State Nurses Association launched a Leadership Fellows Program, designed to foster the development of basic leadership skills for NYSNA members interested in leadership roles in the Association.
For more than a decade, Leadership Fellows has prepared members to assume positions of influence within the professional association. Many of the graduates have served on the NYSNA Board of Directors, the ANA House of Delegates, executive committees of the local bargaining units, the Delegate Assembly, council offices, and district nurses associations’ boards and committees.
In 2007 the NYSNA Board of Directors decided to expand the Leadership Fellows Program to include members at all levels of leadership experience. This new program, the Leadership Academy, has three distinct levels of participation and has been carefully designed to assist all members in their personal and professional growth.
After registration, NYSNA members begin Tier 1, which consists of self-study mini-courses. The basic study modules are not approved for nursing continuing education contact hours, but members must complete all five to be eligible to apply for Tier 2 (the Leadership Fellows Program).
The mini-courses cover basic topics such as “About NYSNA,” “Lobbying for Nurses,” and “The Collective Bargaining Process.” Participants must complete an online examination at the end of each module.
Handwritten submissions are not acceptable. Download and save the application before completing the requested information.
The Leadership Fellows Program is an intensive, year-long learning experience involving on-site lectures, on-line learning and webcasts, and independent study. Fellows have the opportunity to attend Lobby Day, Convention, and other meetings events that will give them in-depth knowledge about their Nurses Association. They will be expected to complete a project during the course of the year.
Topics to be covered include:
Participants may choose from three tracks, depending on their area of greatest interest: General, Labor Relations and Legislative & Political.
There is no charge to members to participate in the Leadership Fellows Program, but they must be appointed by the NYSNA Board of Directors. Open enrollment for applications is January 1 - April 1 of each year, but appointments generally are made during the summer. Up to ten appointments are made each year.
For questions regarding the Leadership Academy program or application process, contact the NYSNA Education, Practice & Research Program at 800.724.NYRN (6976), ext. 282.
Applicants for Tier 3 must have successfully completed the Leadership Fellows Program, although this requirement may be waived with submission of a portfolio that includes descriptions of past leadership experiences.
Graduates will receive one-on-one guidance from assigned mentors and NYSNA staff as they seek to assume leadership roles. The graduate program will be tailored to the participants’ individual needs.