The Nursing Leadership Academy (NLA) has been created as an adjunct to the Academy of Leadership and Learning to provide exceptional education and support to nurse leaders. The NLA goal is to combine pre-existing courses offered by the Houston Methodist Academy of Leadership and Learning (HMALL) and other departments through collaboration. Additional courses identified as needs are coordinated and developed by the Center for Nursing Research, Education, and Practice (CNREP). Most of these courses are focused on Nurse Manager onboarding and continuing development at Houston Methodist.

HMALL offers amazing classes, mentorship and online modules for those entering leadership roles, such as newly hired or promoted nurse managers, but are generally vague for nursing leadership. In addition, a structured transition-to-practice program for new nurse leaders facilitates adaptation to their new roles.

The NLA’s vision is to provide state-of-the-art and evidence-based courses for nurse leaders to enhance their skills. This vision is in line with the Houston Methodist mission to "Provide an environment in which excellent nursing practice, interprofessional collaboration, leadership, education and research ensure that patients, families and the community experience compassionate, value-based care through unparalleled safety, quality, service and innovation." (Houston Methodist Department of Nursing, 2019, pp 11).

The creation and development of the NLA involved investigation and examination using needs assessments sent out to nurse managers at Houston Methodist and consultations with the leaders of HMALL while examining existing courses for Houston Methodist leaders. Nurse managers want classes that are more specific to their role and can help them with certification, evidence-based practice and support.

In 2022, the NLA developed the nurse manager orientation course and the Nurse Executive Board Certified (NE-BC) review course. The nurse manager orientation is a two-day required course for all newly hired or promoted nurse managers in the HM system. This course provides education and information on quality, communication, research, evidence-based practice and failure to rescue. The Houston Methodist NE-BC review course will help prepare the nurse managers with critical test-taking strategies and provide an overview of all tested domains, including Human Resource Management, Quality & Safety, Business Management, and Health Care Delivery. In both courses, students participate in group discussions, simulations and case scenarios.

The nurse manager is responsible for creating safe, healthy environments that support the work of the healthcare team and contribute to patient engagement (AONL, 2015). This role is influential in creating a professional environment and fostering a culture where interdisciplinary team members contribute to optimal patient outcomes and professional growth. Going back to the basics while developing those programs in our NLA assists leaders in their careers while ensuring patient safety and quality of care and promoting a healthy workplace environment.