In October 2020, the Tasmanian Department of Health launched its Nightingale Challenge programme to support 27 nurses and midwives to undertake leadership development training over the course of 7 months.
The first session took the form of an internationally facilitated webinar with guest presenter Katherine Virkstis, Managing Director and Senior Research Partner with The Advisory Board, an independent research and advisory company. The webinar was an extremely positive and exciting event that provided an opportunity to share Katherine’s research and insights on Leading and Sustaining a Resilient Workforce. The participants examined research findings and strategies to support the nursing and midwifery workforce.
Since the launch of the programme, the sponsor Tasmanian Chief Nurse and Midwife, Associate Professor Francine Douce, has been interviewed on local radio to discuss the Nightingale Challenge.
“We are really enjoying our experience of the Nightingale Challenge, in spite of the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are delighted to connect with other Nightingale Challenge programmes and have recently established a partnership with the South Eastern Sydney Local Health Service. The Nightingale Challenge is providing the opportunity for so many connections to be established” explained Dana Gray, Assistant Director of Nursing, Tasmanian, Department of Health.
