Promoting a Culture of Learning - Emerging Nurse Leader

By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, FAAN

Several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit one of two Dedicated Education Units (DEU) that are a collaborative effort between the University of Southern Indiana and Deaconess and St Mary’s Medical Centers. These are well established DEUs with strong academic-practice relationships. The impact of the DEUs on patient outcomes such as customer satisfaction scores and NDNQI data are quite remarkable. In talking with the staff on the unit, they described a unit with a strong focus on a culture of learning. One clinical instructor preceptor told me that she learns as much from the students as they do from her. The manager described how one nurse was very rooted in outdated practices had undergone a dramatic transformation through her intensive work with the students. The students left their DEU experience feeling much more confident about their skills because they had been so closely mentored and cared for by the staff. Such is the power of a culture of learning. Although, a DEU can be a great instrument to transform an environment into a culture of learning, it is not the only way that leaders can create this in their work settings.

5 Ways to Build a Culture of Learning

1. Value Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based nursing practice is widely recognized as being essential to achieve the best patient outcomes. Do nurse leaders use evidence in their own practices? Research published by Melynk, B.M., Fineout-Overholt, E., Gallagher-Ford, L. & Kaplan, L. in the September 2012 issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration suggests that many don’t. In their survey of over 1000 ANA members, nurses were asked whether their managers consistently make evidence-based decisions. On a Likert scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), the mean for magnet hospitals was 3.6 and for non-magnet it was 3.1. These are disappointing findings. To be successful as a nurse leader, you need to continually challenge your assumptions and be willing to look at best scientific evidence available to guide your decision making.

2. Look for the Lessons Learned in Every Situation

Reflective practice is part of a culture of learning. When there is a challenging situation or if there has been a negative patient outcome, there are always lessons learned. Leaders should frequently ask staff – What are the lessons learned here and how could we do it differently the next time?

3. Celebrate Staff Learning and Educational Achievements

It is often said in leadership that what gets rewarded is what is valued. To establish a culture of learning, educational achievements must be valued. Staff should be celebrated when they complete a degree or achieve certification. You want to send a very strong message that these achievements matter in this environment.

4. Volunteer for Innovative Projects and Pilot Programs

In visiting the DEU, I was curious about how the specific units were selected to participate in the project. Not surprisingly, I heard that it was the nurse managers on these units that stepped forward and said that they wanted to be involved. Leaders who want to establish a culture of learning know that being part of innovative projects and pilot programs can be very energizing to staff. It sets your team apart as a group that is willing to change and innovate.

5. Model the Way as a Leader

As a leader, staff will watch to see if you walk the talk. Your personal feelings about how much you value learning will show in how you discuss issues such as knowledge, information, and change. Ask yourself the following questions:

Have you continued your own education?
Do you stay updated on the latest trends?
Are you curious and open to new information?
Are you certified?
Do you allow staff to challenge a process that may need to be changed?
Do you look to hire staff who have completed a BSN or MSN?
Do you do a periodic assessment of your staff’s learning needs?
Do you ask for learning-related goals for the upcoming year when you do staff evaluations?
Do you have regular unit/department education?

Building a cultural of learning on your unit or in your department is an ongoing journey. There is strong evidence to indicate that the payoffs can be great with better patient outcomes and a more highly committed staff.

Read to Lead

Melynk, B.M., Fineout-Overholt, E., Gallagher-Ford, L. & Kaplan, L. (2012). The state of evidence-based practice in US nurses. Journal of Nursing Administration, 9(42), 410-417.