75 Directors and Assistant Directors of Nursing & Midwifery attended a series of ‘Leadership Masterclasses' as part of their ongoing leadership development programme with the RCSI Institute of Leadership.

The programme is commissioned by the National Leadership and Innovation Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director.

Guest speakers described the strategic context in the Irish and UK health systems and how nurse leaders can respond effectively to challenges both professionally and personally. Tony O'Brien, CEO and Chairman of the Health Services Executive (HSE), detailed his vision for the HSE, the 2014 Service Plan, reform and finance and what leaders in the system must be prepared for. He posed a number of challenges for the Directors including patient safety, leading integration of services and budgets. Responding to these challenges Dr Michael Shannon, Director, HSE Nursing & Midwifery Services, discussed the key issues affecting nursing policy at a national level especially workforce planning.

Avilene Casey, National Care Programme and President of IADM&M, discussed health policy in Ireland and gave examples of strategies Directors can use to successfully influence policy at the local and national level. 

Dr Peter Carter, CEO and of the Royal College of Nursing, detailed the current issues facing directors of nursing in the UK especially in light of finding from the Berwick and Francis reports. Emily Logan, Ombudsman for Children, took us through her personal journey from children's nurse to Ombudsman for Children. She explored transitions, the importance of personal learning and transferable skills. 

In a thought provoking and humorous presentation Senator Marie Louise O'Donnell discussed how to influence and communicate ideas effectively through preparation and distillation. 

Michael Comyn, founder of the Fearless Organisation, described practical ways in which leaders can build and enhance their resilience. Projecting a positive personal and corporate image was the subject of Ruth Murphy's session which included the effective use of personality and style.

The aim of this masterclass series was to enable participant to network at a strategic level with key decision makers in the healthcare system.