Developing authentic leadership voice: Novice faculty experience

AIM The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of 14 novice nurse faculty of a 20-month experiential leadership academy on the leadership development. BACKGROUND Managing the complexities of nursing faculty roles requires significant leadership skills that often are hard won. Evidence suggests that leadership preparation to prepare nursing faculty through guided mentoring can enhance faculty recruitment, satisfaction, and retention. METHOD Participants completed open-ended questions about their experiences in Sigma Theta Tau International’s Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy. RESULTS Data analysis revealed a meta-theme of “Finding Authentic Leadership Voice.” Four subthemes emerged to shape the meta-theme: Identifying Inner Strengths and Areas for Improvement, Increasing Self-Confidence and Self-Awareness, Increasing Focus on Others, and Clarifying Aspirations for a Leadership Future. CONCLUSION Reflecting on their experiences, participants recognized changes in their leadership roles as they found an authentic voice that helped them persist and thrive amid the complexities of their faculty roles.