Overview of Leadership and Management in the Modern Era Richard Ricciardi PhD, CRNP Welcome to the introductory module of the comprehensive Jan Towers Foundational Leadership Program. This course establishes the foundation for understanding the intricate roles of leadership and management within contemporary healthcare environments. Participants will explore core leadership qualities, distinguish between leadership and management responsibilities, and identify the key competencies necessary for impactful leadership. This introductory module is essential for nurse practitioners seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities, preparing participants to engage fully with the subsequent sessions in the Jan Towers Foundational Leadership Program. Objectives:- Identify the core qualities that contribute to exceptional leadership.
- Examine the roles of leaders and managers, highlighting their responsibilities and approaches.
Expanding Your Emotional Intelligence Elda G. Ramirez, PhD, FNP-BC, ENP-C
Richard Ricciardi PhD, CRNP This session explores the essential role of emotional intelligence (EI) in effective leadership. Led by Dr. Richard Ricciardi and Dr. Elda Ramirez, it provides practical insights and strategies to enhance EI and executive presence within healthcare leadership contexts. Participants will gain a deep understanding of how EI significantly impacts workplace interactions, decision-making, stress management, and team dynamics. Through engaging discussions, case studies, and real-world examples, attendees will develop critical skills needed to navigate challenges, foster positive organizational cultures, and drive successful outcomes professionally and personally. Objectives:- Understand yourself and learn how to make your emotions work for you.
- Gain awareness of how your behavior impacts others.
- Expand your leadership capacity and create an environment that fosters emotional intelligence.
Management Essentials - Applying Principles to Optimize Outcomes Wendy L. Wright, DNP, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP In th, Dr. Wendy L. Wright delivers a compelling and deeply personal exploration of effective management and leadership within healthcare, particularly from the perspective of nurse practitioners operating in dynamic clinical settings. Reflecting on her own trajectory from an untrained fast-food manager to a seasoned healthcare leader and clinic owner, Dr. Wright emphasizes the critical role formal management education plays in transforming "accidental managers" into empowered, visionary leaders. Through stories, research findings, and practical tools, she explores leadership styles, communication strategies, employee engagement, and the importance of focusing on individual strengths. Her advocacy for transformational leadership, empathetic team dynamics, and flexible management structures serves as a blueprint for cultivating resilient healthcare organizations capable of navigating complexity, burnout, and rapid technological change. Objectives:- Identify differences between leadership and management.
- Discuss leadership styles and implications to organizations.
- Review essentials of effective management.
Identifying Your Leadership Style Joyce M. Knestrick, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN This session offers an in-depth exploration of leadership styles and decision-making within healthcare environments. Participants will examine how their leadership is experienced by others, uncovering the ways in which decision-making influences team trust, morale, and accountability. The session covers a spectrum of leadership styles—including transformational, transactional, servant, democratic, autocratic, and laissez-faire—and analyzes their respective advantages, limitations, and appropriate use in different healthcare settings such as acute care, long-term care, and administration. Objectives:- Explore how others experience your decision-making.
- Understand the impact of your decision-making on team members.
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different leadership styles.
- Address leadership under stress and how to manage decision-making during high-pressure situations.
Leading and Building High Performance Teams Angela Patterson, DNP, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAANP This session will explore the essential role of leadership in developing and sustaining high-performing teams within healthcare settings. It will emphasize the importance of adapting leadership styles—such as transformational, servant, or relational leadership—based on team dynamics, maturity, and individual needs. The session will highlight strategies to enhance emotional intelligence, deliver meaningful feedback, and create psychological safety to foster engagement, innovation, and team cohesion. Through real-world examples and practical models like SCARF, the presentation will provide actionable tools to lead with empathy, clarity, and a growth-oriented mindset. Objectives:- Apply or adapt your leadership style to meet specific challenges faced by your team.
- Manage the conditions that drive team performance, including communication, trust, and accountability.
- Coach colleagues and share feedback in ways that enable their development and enhance their ability to deliver results.
Power, Influence and Positive Impact James LaVelle Dickens, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN This session explores how to cultivate and apply power and influence with integrity to drive meaningful and positive outcomes in professional settings. Participants will examine strategies for expanding their influence, building credibility, and navigating complex organizational dynamics. Through real-world examples and reflective practices, learners will gain insights into fostering trust, motivating others, and making a lasting impact. The session encourages intentional leadership rooted in purpose, authenticity, and collaboration. Objectives:- Communicate purpose and vision, and inspire your organization to execute on that vision.
- Elevate your leadership style to meet the distinct challenges of leading larger, more dispersed teams.
- Extend the reach of your influence by leading through other managers.
Navigating Organizational Leadership Diane Padden, PhD, CRNP, FAANP This session offers a comprehensive introduction to organizational leadership, focusing on the critical skills and mindsets needed to lead in today’s complex healthcare environment. Participants will explore foundational topics such as vision setting, communication strategy, change management, and professional presence. Through case studies and self-assessment tools, learners will identify their own leadership styles and develop practical strategies for inspiring teams, navigating change, and influencing outcomes. The session emphasizes a forward-looking approach to leadership that is adaptive, inclusive, and grounded in strategic thinking.
Objectives:- Communicate purpose and vision, and inspire your organization to execute on that vision.
- Elevate your leadership style to meet the distinct challenges of leading larger, more dispersed teams.
- Extend the reach of your influence by leading through other managers.
Managing Up and Across Diane Padden, PhD, CRNP, FAANP This session focuses on building effective professional relationships through self-awareness, communication, and adaptability. It emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s own communication style and that of others—especially supervisors—to navigate workplace dynamics. Key concepts include establishing trust, practicing candor, managing emotional responses, and recognizing different leadership styles. The program also offers strategies for working with challenging managers, enhancing team collaboration, and aligning personal strengths with organizational goals. Objectives:- Examine ways to build and maintain relationships.
- Understanding yourself.
- Understanding your boss.
- Explore techniques for managing up and across in complex organizations.
- Explore how to effectively manage communication processes with your boss and executive management.
Ethics for Leaders Ruth Carrico, PhD, DNP, FNP-C, FNAP, FAAN
Elda G. Ramirez, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP, FAEN, FAAN This session delves into the critical ethical dimensions of leadership, emphasizing the role of fairness, transparency, and equity in decision-making processes, particularly in the context of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). Attendees will explore how ethical leadership practices can foster more equitable and humane workplaces, addressing contemporary challenges and opportunities presented by technological advancements. Through thoughtful discussion, interactive scenarios, and reflective exercises, this session guides leaders in navigating ethical complexities, promoting fairness, and ensuring transparency in their professional environments. Objectives:- Develop a framework for understanding the responsibilities leaders have to their customers, employees, external stakeholders, and society.
- Determine and deliver on your economic, legal, clinical, and ethical responsibilities
- Understanding Yourself - Your strengths, weaknesses and personal style and how they impact the relationship.
Strategic Vision Angela Patterson, DNP, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, FAANP This presentation explores how to create, implement, and sustain a strategic vision in healthcare settings using structured, evidence-based frameworks and tools. It emphasizes aligning vision with purpose, values, and measurable outcomes, while ensuring stakeholder engagement and adaptability to change. Participants will learn to apply models such as the Balanced Scorecard, McKinsey 7S, Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model, and Lean Six Sigma to translate strategic goals into operational reality. The session also addresses risk management, cross-functional collaboration, and how to balance tensions between growth, control, innovation, and results. Objectives:- Apply frameworks, tools, and goal setting and tracking exercises to your own strategic initiatives.
- Identify and manage risks that could derail strategic execution.
- Evaluate and elevate your team’s management of the core tensions of strategy execution, including how to balance growth, profit, and control.
The Emerging Leader Ruth Carrico, PhD, DNP, FNP-C, FNAP, FAAN This session is designed for nurse practitioners and healthcare professionals ready to advance their influence from clinical practice to leadership roles. Led by Dr. Ruth Carrico, a seasoned nurse practitioner and leader with extensive experience across local, state, national, and international platforms, this course offers a deep dive into transitioning from bedside care to impactful leadership. Participants will explore critical components of effective leadership, emphasizing self-awareness, strategic communication, emotional intelligence, and integrity. Dr. Carrico shares invaluable insights from her leadership journey, highlighting practical methods for self-assessment, leveraging personal strengths, and addressing areas for development through strategic growth plans. Participants will engage in scenario-based learning to address real-world leadership challenges, facilitating practical application of theoretical concepts. The course includes actionable tools such as goal-setting frameworks, strategies for identifying and engaging mentors, and reflective practices to monitor leadership development. Objectives:- Identify and understand motivational drivers and communication methods as you develop your personalized leadership skills.
- Identify how functions of a manager differ from an individual contributor within the realm of leadership.
- Explore how you can create boundaries in your professional growth and balance your roles as clinician, educator, manager, and leader.
Leadership, Passion and Vision J. Hudson Garrett Jr., Ph.D., MSN, MPH, MBA, FNP-BC, IP-BC, PLNC, CFER, AS-BC, VA-BC, CMRP, HACP, HACP-IC, HACP-PE, LTC-CIP, CIC, CPPS, CCHR-S, CPHQ, CVAHP, CPXP, CDIPC, CPHRM, CER, CAIP, CHIPP-B, FACDONA, FAAPM, eFACHDM, FAPIC, FAOM, FRSPH, FNAP, FAHVAP, FACHE, FSHEA, FIDSA In this comprehensive session, Dr. Hudson Garrett underscores the crucial role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in healthcare leadership, advocating for a transformational leadership model grounded in passion, intentionality, and interprofessional collaboration. Drawing from personal experiences and professional expertise in infectious diseases and healthcare management, Garrett explores the core competencies needed to lead effectively: emotional intelligence, resilience, integrity, communication, and a commitment to continual self-development. He stresses the importance of aligning personal values and leadership vision with organizational goals, embracing innovation, mentorship, and strategic influence to drive systemic improvement. The emphasis lies in leading from the front—empowering teams, cultivating trust, and always centering leadership efforts around patient safety and care excellence. Objectives:- Define the core components of transformational leadership and describe how nurse practitioners can leverage these principles to influence interprofessional teams and drive organizational change.
- Explore the connection between personal passion and professional purpose and identify strategies to align daily clinical practice with long-term career vision and leadership goals.
- Develop an actionable personal leadership vision statement that reflects individual values, fuels professional growth, and inspires collaboration, advocacy, and innovation in healthcare.
Managing Time - Where Did the Day Go? J. Hudson Garrett Jr., Ph.D., MSN, MPH, MBA, FNP-BC, IP-BC, PLNC, CFER, AS-BC, VA-BC, CMRP, HACP, HACP-IC, HACP-PE, LTC-CIP, CIC, CPPS, CCHR-S, CPHQ, CVAHP, CPXP, CDIPC, CPHRM, CER, CAIP, CHIPP-B, FACDONA, FAAPM, eFACHDM, FAPIC, FAOM, FRSPH, FNAP, FAHVAP, FACHE, FSHEA, FIDSA In this session, Dr. Hudson Garrett presents an insightful and practical guide to time management tailored specifically for nurse practitioner (NP) leaders. Acknowledging the chaotic realities of healthcare leadership, he emphasizes that while achieving perfect work-life balance may be a myth, strategic time management is attainable and essential. Drawing from personal experience, digital tools, leadership theory, and operational tactics, Dr. Garrett introduces frameworks like SMART goals and the Eisenhower Matrix to help leaders triage priorities, streamline workflows, and enhance performance. He advocates for continuous self-assessment, strategic delegation, use of automation and digital platforms, and mindful boundary-setting to preserve focus, avoid burnout, and foster leadership agility. Ultimately, Garrett encourages leaders to reclaim time through conscious planning and reinvest it in personal and professional growth. Objectives:- Identify key time management challenges specific to nurse practitioner practice and describe evidence-based strategies to prioritize clinical, administrative, and patient care responsibilities effectively.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply time-blocking, delegation, and workflow optimization techniques in various practice settings to enhance productivity, reduce stress, and improve patient outcomes.
- Evaluate the impact of effective time management on clinical decision-making, professional well-being, and patient satisfaction, using real-world case studies and tools for ongoing performance improvement.
| Content Expires: | June 30, 2027 (11:55 p.m. CT)
CE for this activity will not be available after this date. |
|  | This activity includes closed captioning. |
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Accreditation Information
This activity is approved for 13.01 contact hours of continuing education by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners®. Activity ID# 25057234. This activity was planned in accordance with AANP Accreditation Standards and Policies.
How to Complete this Activity - Read this activity description, including objectives and disclosures.
- Complete all 13 sections of educational content:
- OnDemand Presentations: Click the Play button to watch the activity video lecture. To get full credit for the learning activity portion, you must watch all of the video content in each section.
- Click on the Additional Resources button to review all additional materials provided (handouts and any other downloadable resources).
- Click on the Next Steps button of each section. Click on the "Get Certificate" button that appears at the bottom of the Next Steps window. This will show a brief confirmation of section completion message and direct learners to continue to the next section.
- After completing all 13 sections of educational content, go to the parent module of the activity (top block in the activity group) and click on the Next Steps button:
- Submit the overall activity evaluation to receive full AANP CE/Rx credit.
- Click on the Get Certificate button. At the top of the certificate screen, use the provided dropdown menu and select Jan Towers Foundational Leadership Program Certificate.
- A copy of your certificate of completion will display on the screen for you to print or save. A copy of the certificate will also be emailed to you.
Note: This is a multi-section series that enforces linear completion of section content. The certificate of completion will only be awarded for this activity after ALL sections of the activity have been successfully completed AND the final evaluation (located on the parent module) has been completed. No partial credit will be awarded.
Disclosure and Disclaimer Information
This program was planned in accordance with AANP CE Standards and Policies.
All Planners have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.
Faculty Disclosures:
- Ruth Carrico
- I am a speaker for Pfizer [pneumococcal immunization, RSV immunization, COVID-19 immunization, Paxlovid], and GSK [improving immunization processes].
- I am on advisory boards for Sanofi [improving vaccination rates], Pfizer [meningococcal vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, Paxlovid], Moderna [COVID-19 vaccine], Valneva [travel vaccines], Seqirus [influenza vaccine], Sepsis Alliance, Association for Healthcare Value Analysis [infection control and supply chain disruption], and CDC HICPAC [healthcare personnel workgroup]
- I am a consultant for VaxCare [vaccination logistics].
- James LaVelle Dickens
- J. Hudson Garrett Jr.
- Joyce M. Knestrick
- Diane Padden
- Angela Patterson
- Elda G. Ramirez
- Richard Ricciardi
- Wendy L. Wright
- Speaker Bureau - Sanofi-Pasteur, Merck, Pfizer Seqirus, Moderna: Vaccines; Exact Sciences: Colorectal cancer; AstraZeneca: Asthma and COPD
- Consultant - Sanofi-Pasteur, Merck, Pfizer, Moderna, and Seqirus: Vaccines; Exact Sciences: Colorectal cancer; AstraZeneca: Asthma and COPD
- No real or potential conflict of interest to disclose.
- No experimental or investigational use of drugs or devices will be presented.
- Off-label use will be identified as such if discussed.
All financial relationships have been mitigated.
Disclaimer:
Individuals who have contributed to the CE Center were carefully selected for their knowledge and experience in the subject area under review. This presentation is informational only and may contain opinions of the authors from their personal experience that do not necessarily express the opinions of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). The activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings. Clinical practice is a constantly changing process and new information becomes available every day. Neither AANP nor the contributing individuals can warrant that the material will continue to be accurate, nor do they warrant that the material is completely free of errors upon publication. Attendees and participants should appraise the information presented critically and are encouraged to consult appropriate resources for any product or device mentioned in this program.
Additional Information
For questions or more information concerning this online CE opportunity, please visit the AANP Help Center to find answers to frequently asked questions and request assistance. |
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