As the health care system continues to undergo rapid change, the nature of nurses’ roles are changing as well, according to Healthforce Center faculty research. As the largest licensed health professional group in the US, nurses are four times more prevalent than physicians. They practice in nearly every setting of the health care system and many are poised to take on leadership roles. But plenty of nurses will need to gain new skills, including leadership and management competencies, to meet patient needs in this increasingly value-focused health care environment.

How Our Programs Support Nursing Leadership

To address health care’s most critical challenges, health professionals from various fields and backgrounds must break down silos and work together. Healthforce Center’s leadership development programs take an interdisciplinary approach and train health care professionals across the workforce. The CHCF Health Care Leadership Program, for example, prepares clinically trained professionals to lead California’s health care organizations. Nurses, physicians, case managers and more join together to learn essential leadership and management skills. We believe leadership development is a process of discovery and our programs help participants develop effective leadership styles, facilitate action and lead teams.

News and Research for Nursing Leaders

Healthforce Center is a leading source of research insights into the nursing workforce. For more than two decades, we have conducted studies and surveys of the nursing workforce to better understand:

• The impact of state scope-of-practice regulations
• The availability of nurses and nurse practitioners to care for vulnerable populations
• Nurse practitioner and nurse midwife use of health information technology
• The factors that affect rural nurse practitioners including job satisfaction and intention to remain in rural areas

Learn more about the latest research on registered nurses or sign up to get updates on health workforce research insights, trends and leadership opportunities.