Professionalism and Authentic Leadership

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Professional Development

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University of Washington Continues Emerging Nurse Leader Program in 2024 to Strengthen Succession Planning

In 2024, the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) reaffirmed its commitment to cultivating the next generation of nursing leaders by continuing its Emerging Nurse Leader year-long workshop series. This initiative is a strategic component of UWMC's succession planning efforts, aiming to prepare newer nurse managers and experienced RN3s/assistant nurse managers for advanced leadership roles within the organization.

Launched in 2022, the Emerging Nurse Leader program offers a hybrid learning experience that combines asynchronous online modules with monthly collaborative meetings. Participants engage with award-winning content from the Association for Nurses in Critical Care (ANCC), covering essential topics such as time management, situational leadership, staff recruitment and retention, mentorship, performance and financial management, quality and safety, conflict resolution, and innovation. In addition, each attendee is paired with a mentor for regular support throughout the program. The program requires a commitment of approximately 3–4 hours per month, providing a comprehensive foundation for emerging nurse leaders.

The continuation of the program in 2024 with a cohort of 13 leaders (one director, four nurse managers and 7 assistant nurse managers) underscores its success in developing authentic nurse leaders who are well-prepared for their roles. Graduates have reported high levels of satisfaction and increased confidence and readiness to assume leadership positions within UWMC. Notably, 5 of this year’s 13 participants have already transitioned into higher managerial roles, demonstrating the program's effectiveness in facilitating career advancement and leadership development.

The Emerging Nurse Leader program aligns with UWMC's broader goals of fostering authentic leadership and enhancing the professional practice environment. By investing in the development of internal talent, UWMC ensures a robust pipeline of qualified leaders ready to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare. This proactive approach to succession planning is particularly vital in the context of ongoing challenges in nurse recruitment and retention, as well as the evolving demands of patient care delivery.

As the healthcare landscape continues to change, UWMC's commitment to leadership development through programs like the Emerging Nurse Leader initiative positions the organization to adapt effectively and maintain excellence in patient care. By empowering nurses with the skills and knowledge necessary for leadership, UWMC not only supports individual professional growth but also strengthens the organization's capacity to meet future challenges.

Healthy Work Environment Initiative

In 2024, the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) continues to champion the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Healthy Work Environment (HWE) initiative, reflecting its commitment to fostering a supportive and effective workplace for healthcare professionals. This initiative is rooted in six evidence-based standards: Skilled Communication, True Collaboration, Effective Decision-Making, Appropriate Staffing, Meaningful Recognition, and Authentic Leadership.

UWMC's dedication to these standards began in 2021 with a system-wide effort to enhance healthcare work environments. This initiative was inspired by a workshop series developed by Dr. Dennis Doherty at Boston Children’s Hospital and aimed to engage leaders and frontline staff in identifying and implementing departmental HWE initiatives.

The 2024 series again kicked off in the winter of 2023 with a 2-hour workshop for leaders throughout the UWMC/UW Medicine system. More than fifty leaders attended the virtual sessions, engaging in conversations on how to continue to support our departments as we continue to navigate the post pandemic challenges in our healthcare environment. Leaders and HWE department champions then attended the subsequent 4-workshop series throughout 2024. HWE Champions, in collaboration with their leaders, worked on projects aimed at making small, incremental changes that had a big impact on their team.

Projects again included a widely popular QR Code Recognition project, employee of the month or quarter recognition, and also staff recognition boards, Team STEPPS training, team communication Stoplight Boards, staff newsletters, group mentoring projects, and social events aimed at improving team dynamics and fostering increased collaboration. Forty-four HWE teams launched projects/efforts at improving the health of their work environment and 100% of participants requested that the program be offered again in 2025.

By embedding the AACN HWE standards into its organizational culture, UWMC not only enhances the well-being of its staff but also continues to pursue the impact on the delivery of high-quality patient care. This ongoing initiative underscores UWMC's role as a leader in promoting healthy work environments within the healthcare industry.

Supporting the Next Generation

Supporting nursing students in the hospital setting is essential for cultivating a skilled, confident, and compassionate future workforce. Clinical placements provide students with invaluable hands-on experience, bridging the gap between theory and practice while fostering critical thinking, communication, and patient care skills. By offering mentorship, structured learning opportunities, and a supportive environment, hospitals not only contribute to the professional development of nursing students but also strengthen the overall quality of care. Investing in these future professionals ensures a sustainable pipeline of competent nurses who are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of healthcare.

In Calendar year 2024, UWMC onboarded 1009 undergraduate nursing students and instructors at our Montlake and Northwest campuses. We also onboarded 55 NA.C students and hosted 195 RN graduate students on the Montlake campus. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skill with these students!

UWMC Transition to Practice Program worked toward PTAP Accreditation

We are thrilled to announce that the University of Washington Medical Center Transition to Practice Program has officially received Practice Transition Accreditation Program® (PTAP) accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in early 2025! The preparation for this important achievement took place in 2024.

This significant achievement reflects the exceptional dedication, collaboration, and commitment of our teams at UWMC in supporting new graduate nurses as they transition into professional practice.

The ANCC recognized several key strengths of our program, including:

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to this achievement. Your hard work and collaboration made this possible. This accomplishment is a true reflection of our shared commitment to excellence in nursing practice and education.

Accreditation Statement:
Accredited programs must use the below accreditation statement in its entirety when advertising its accreditation status. This statement should not be altered or combined with any other statement.

University of Washington Medical Center Transition to Practice Program is accredited as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.

The current sites included in this accreditation designation are:

  1. University of Washington Medical Center-Montlake
  2. University of Washington Medical Center-Northwest

The current practice settings included in this accreditation designation are:

  1. Medical-Surgical
    1. Practice Setting Coordinator: Brittany Bergquist MSN, RN
  2. Oncology
  3. Critical Care
  4. Emergency Department
    1. Practice Setting Coordinator: Emily Agudo BSN, RN
Preview of Professional Development Pathway worksheet.
View and download the Professional Development Pathway worksheet

Professional Development Pathway

Professional development is critical for nurses at all levels, and UW Medical Center is dedicated to supporting growth. Some nurses want to broaden their clinical skills, while others want to enhance their leadership skills, or get involved in professional practice. We strive to provide opportunities and support for nurses across all care settings. The Professional Development Pathway is a tool for RNs to use during annual goal setting, or any time!

Focused, Practical, Effective: Assistive Personnel Orientation Gets an Upgrade

As part of our commitment to excellence in education and clinical readiness, we’ve redesigned Assistive Personnel Orientation to be more focused and effective. The updated one-day format delivers high-impact, need-to-know content centered on regulatory compliance and core UW Medicine policies such as infection control, falls, and glucometer use. This change ensures every new team member receives a strong, standardized foundation while supporting a timely transition to unit-based learning.

Since implementing the revised format, over 95 staff members have successfully completed orientation—with no change in evaluation data, reinforcing the quality and effectiveness of the new approach. As one participant noted, “I liked how we are given an overall review of what we’re expected to do.” In addition to enhancing the learner experience, this shift has resulted in meaningful cost savings for the organization. Most importantly, units benefit by receiving staff sooner, enabling faster integration and on-the-job learning. By streamlining content, we’re making better use of staff time and resources while continuing to prioritize safety, quality, and workforce readiness.