Nurses, students learn leadership skills

A group of Thunder Bay nurses and future nurses are learning how to become better leaders in their work place.

Officials with the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario say leadership is an important part of their practice.

About 20 nursing graduates and current students took part in the leadership workshop hosted by the RNAO.

The theme of the event was called From Surviving to Thriving in the Work Environment. Manager of the organization's Centre for Professional Nursing Excellence Leigh Chapman says nurses are leaders when they work with patients.

The group wants to help nurses develop their leadership in other aspects of their practice. She says this is a crucial skill in nursing.

The workshop also focused on the students' transition from the classroom to a real health-care setting.

Nursing student Alyson Hill said it was a big change for her to go from practising on simulation dolls to helping real people. Chapman said that she hopes participants gain an understanding of the challenges graduating nursing students face.