The curriculum will cover 7 Leadership Development sessions:

• Foundations of Leadership
• Communication & Relationship Building
• Organizational Culture & Workplace Leadership
• Safety, Quality, & Systems Thinking
• Healthcare Finance & Value-Based Care
• Advocacy & Policy Influence
• Leading Change & Driving Impact

2027 Virtual Program Dates:

• February 11
• March 11
• April 8 
• May 13
• June 10
• July 8
• August 12

Final Program Celebration: November 11 in Spotsylvania, Virginia at the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions

BONUS:  All NLA Fellows will receive registration to the VNA & VNF Nursing Impact Summit on November 12-13 in n Spotsylvania, Virginia at the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions!

Months 1-7: 

• 7 Live VIRTUAL didactic sessions 
• Fellows will identify a leadership mentor 
  
• Fellows will complete a leadership assessment to gain feedback on their personal leadership style
  
• A virtual Community will be provided for additional coaching opportunities with program leadership and peer-to-peer engagement

Month 8-9:

• Fellows will participate in "Day in the Life of a Nurse Leader" shadow opportunity for a minimum of 8 hours.

Month 10:

• Final Program Celebration & VNA/VNF Nursing Impact Summit
  

Member registration: $1795 per registrant

Non-Member registration: $1995 per registrant

Fellows will learn foundational leadership skills and participate in a one-on-one mentorship program to place a greater emphasis on relationship-building, real-world leadership exposure, and individualized development.

The NLA Mentorship Program is a structured 10-month leadership development experience designed to foster self-aware, resilient, and growth-oriented nurse leaders. The program recognizes that effective leadership begins with self-reflection, personal accountability, and intentional professional growth.

Through individualized mentorship, experiential learning, and active participation in NLA educational sessions, fellows gain practical leadership insights while building meaningful professional relationships. The program encourages participants to apply leadership concepts in real-world settings, strengthening their ability to lead with authenticity, adaptability, and purpose.

Participants will focus on development in four key areas:

• Reflective Practice
  
• Foundational Thinking
  
• Career Development
  
• Personal and Professional Accountability

As part of the mentorship experience, mentors and mentees meet at least monthly to discuss leadership goals, challenges, and professional growth opportunities. Mentors also provide a unique “Day in the Life of a Nurse Leader” shadowing experience, offering firsthand exposure to nursing leadership roles and responsibilities. In addition, mentees participate in monthly discussion boards and engage fully in all NLA learning sessions to further enhance their leadership journey.

Together, these experiences create a supportive environment where emerging nurse leaders can develop the skills, confidence, and professional connections needed to advance their leadership potential and make a lasting impact on healthcare.

Interested in Serving as a Mentor?

The Rural & Underrepresented Nurse Leadership Scholarship supports the development of emerging nurse leaders who serve in rural, underserved, or historically underrepresented communities. The scholarship aims to expand pathways to leadership for nurses whose backgrounds, practice settings, or lived experiences contribute to advancing health equity, improving access to care, and strengthening the nursing workforce.

Ideal Candidates May Include Nurses Who:

• Work in rural or critical access hospitals, community clinics, or other underserved care settings.
  
• Provide care to vulnerable or marginalized populations, including low income, aging, or geographically isolated groups.
  
• Come from underrepresented backgrounds in nursing leadership, including first-generation professionals and individuals from communities with historically limited access to leadership development.
  
• Are committed to applying their leadership learning to improve equity, quality, and access within their local communities.
  
• Seek to expand their influence and impact through participation in the Nurse Leadership Academy.

The Rural & Underrepresented Nurse Leadership Scholarship is available to eligible applicants participating in the Nurse Leadership Academy. Please note that the scholarship application is included within the NLA application and does not require a separate submission. We encourage interested candidates to apply early and review scholarship eligibility requirements before applying.

Important Dates:

• Application Opens: August 3
  
• Scholarship Application Deadline: October 1
  
• Scholarship Recipients Notified: October 30
  
• NLA Application Deadline: October 30

Scholarship opportunities are limited and support nurses who are uniquely positioned to transform care delivery in areas where strong leadership is most needed. By investing in nurses from rural and underrepresented communities, the program advances health equity, strengthens local workforce capacity, and cultivates the next generation of diverse nurse leaders.

Past NLA Fellow Testimonial Videos Coming Soon

“As a graduate of the 2024 Virginia Nurse Leadership Academy, I have a personal appreciation for the impact this program has on developing strong, confident nurse leaders. The curriculum and overall experience were invaluable in shaping my leadership journey, providing both practical tools and meaningful professional connections.” Valerie Ryland, MHA, BSN, RN, CCM

“I participated in the Nursing Leadership Academy in 2022, and the experience was very meaningful in my development as a nurse leader. One of the most valuable parts of the program was learning practical leadership skills that I continue to use every day in my current role. The lessons around accountability, self-awareness, communication, conflict management, and leading through change have stayed with me. As a nursing director, I often have to navigate challenging conversations, support staff through difficult changes, and balance the needs of patients, employees, and the organization. The program helped prepare me to approach those situations with more confidence and intention.” Rebecca Brown, MSN, RN, NE-BC

Have additional questions about the Nurse Leadership Academy? Contact VNF & VNA's Director of Professional Development Ashley Henry at  ahenry@virginianurses.org.