Authors: (including presenting author): :
LAW SL, TSANG LF, LEUNG LM, LO KP
Affiliation: :
Nursing Services Division, United Christian Hospital, Hospital Authority
Keyword 1: :
ANC Empowering Program
Keyword 2: :
Clinical Experts
Introduction: :
The Hospital Authority (HA) established the Associate Nurse Consultant (ANC) position in 2021/22 to strengthen nursing career ladders, retain experienced staff, and enhance clinical services. It provides an alternative promotion pathway for Advanced Practice Nurses focusing on specialty clinical care rather than healthcare management. While ANCs could join the existing Nurse Consultant Training curriculum, a structured program tailored to their unique role was lacking. Based on the EXPERT framework, the program focuses on six domains including expert practice and consultancy, transfer of knowledge and skill. service development, professional leadership, evidence-based practice and smart solutions.
Objectives: :
The goal is to enable ANCs to effectively implement the Nurse Consultant Service Model, develop specialty-specific training, apply evidence-based practice (EBP), and promote IT innovation in clinical settings.
Methodology: :
This one-year structured training program was developed through a comprehensive needs assessment, including training needs analysis from supervisors and ward managers, and learning needs analysis from ANCs. Three core modules were designed, incorporating intensive EBP workshops, advanced management lectures, exposure opportunities, site visits, and an EBP forum.
A pre-and-post self-rating Staff Development Review (SDR) and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment were employed to measure changes in ANC competencies and personal development. Additionally, post-training evaluations were collected for each session to ensure continuous improvement of the program.
Result & Outcome: :
This program initially (1st cohort in 2024) enrolled 25 ANCs, with 20 completing the full program. Pre- and post-program assessments revealed significant improvements in participants' self-perceived competencies and leadership capabilities.
The pre-program SDR showed an overall rating of 2.67 out of 5 across all categories (general performance, managerial performance, and professional performance). Post-program, this rating increased to 3.08.
Participant satisfaction was consistently high throughout the program, with mean scores for individual sessions ranging from 5.11 to 5.89 out of 6, demonstrating the perceived value and relevance of the training content.
Analysis of personality traits using MBTI revealed a shift towards intuitive-thinking temperaments after program among ANCs. This suggests that the training may have influenced participants' approach to problem-solving and decision-making, potentially enhancing their capacity for strategic thinking and innovation in their roles. This tailored leadership program demonstrates remarkable efficacy in empowering ANCs with crucial management expertise and advanced clinical leadership capabilities. This program not only enhances ANCs' core competencies, but also significantly boosts their strategic decision-making abilities for their role performance as clinical leaders. With the significant outcome, 2nd Cohort with enhancement has been conducted.
