Media Release
March 27, 2006
Program Has Major Impact on Nurses

A three day leadership training program specifically designed for nurses in long term care is having a major impact on care practices across Ontario. Since the program was introduced in 2005 by Silver Meridian, an Ontario based company serving the long term care sector, over 250 nurses have completed the intensive, hands-on program. According to Silver Meridian, those numbers are projected grow to over 600 by the end of 2006. 

The program, called “The Emerging Nurse Leader Program – Preparing the Garden,” was developed in response to the need for leadership skills among both registered nurses and registered practical nurses throughout Ontario.  According to Silver Meridian’s co-owner Darlene Legree, “Our research confirmed that not only is leadership training for nurses limited in terms of their formal education, but the demands on nurses to provide leadership to staff are increasing dramatically, and especially so in long term care.” 

With a focus clearly on the issues facing nurses in the long term care field, the program is designed to incorporate both current leadership best practices and practical, real-life applications into the training. Participants attend a total of three days of training, with intervals of 3-6 weeks between each training day. The nurses in the program incorporate new learning from the program into their day-to day leadership practices, record their experiences, and then share the outcomes with their co-participants at the next training day. 

According to past participants, the results from the program have been outstanding. Not only has the program impacted nurses’ leadership skills, but also many have felt a renewed sense of empowerment within themselves. As noted by D Kato, a nurse manager from White Cliffe Terrace in Courtice, ON, “I was provided with tools to better my staff’s performance.  These tools have motivated and empowered me to be a better manager.”

The principals of Silver Meridian have come to recognize this program as a cornerstone for success in the senior’s care sector. Co-owner Ron Martyn points out “Without effective leaders, improvements in long term care will not happen. Organizations need leaders who have vision, commitment and a drive to ensure changes occur, and that is what we are seeing from people in this program.” This point has been reinforced by the recent commitment by Specialty Care, a major long term care provider in Ontario, to provide the Emerging Nurse Leader Program for nurses from every one of their homes in the province. 

Silver Meridian has offered the program on a registration basis in various areas across the province over the past year, including the London, Niagara, Hamilton, Barrie, Durham and Ottawa regions. Upcoming training locations include Whitby, Barrie, Windsor and Ottawa. 

The Emerging Nurse Leader Program itself is an emerging program within Silver Meridian. While the current program offering (“Preparing the Garden”) is focused on fundamental leadership skills for all nurses, upcoming components will delve into more specific challenge areas of leadership, including conflict resolution and team building. 

While there are still many more nurses to reach, it is encouraging to note that organizations such as Specialty Care, Silver Meridian, and individual nurse leaders are so committed to enhancing the lives of residents in today’s long term care facilities.

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Contact:
Kathy Ritchie
Silver Meridian
621 McEwen Dr., Suite 28
Whitby, ON.,  L1N 9A5 

Phone:   905-433-0040
Fax:       905-433-0051

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