NSNA Leadership U

Leadership Skills Developed

During the Resolutions Process

Competencies learned and practiced are in bold type. 

Outcome:

Develop and master skills needed to participate in the democratic process.

Identify a topic/issue (enhances intellectual and analytical capacity)

Determine relevance to nursing students, nursing education, nursing practice. (Develops systems thinking; identifies global, national and local trends)

Investigate what has been done, if anything, on this topic/issue in past (i.e. does NSNA already have a position on this topic?). (enhances intellectual and analytical capacity)

Do other nursing organizations have positions on this topic/issue; if so, what are their positions or policies. (Develops systems thinking; identifies global, national and local trends)

Before taking a position, compile a list of the pros and cons for topic/issue? (develops systems thinking; identifies global, national and local trends)

Once topic/issue has been established as viable and appropriate for a resolution:

• decide position (support or oppose). (Enhances intellectual and analytical capacity)
  
• use the literature to support the decision and to document “whereas” statements. (Enhances intellectual and analytical capacity; enhances writing skills)

Determine what is the appropriate action that the organization can take within the human and financial resources available and write the “resolved” statements. (Understanding of strategic/tactical planning, implementation and outcome evaluation; enhances writing skills)

Using the correct format as provided by the organization, submit the resolution, documentation and other requested information (Enhances intellectual and analytical capacity)

Inform others about the resolution and seek their support. (Develops effective interpersonal and communication skills; critical thinking; listening skills; empower others; motivate others to participate in decision making)

Speak with people who have opposing views about the resolution as well as those who support it so that all sides of the issue are understood: attempt to counter opposition with facts. (Manage conflict and master conflict resolution; treat others with respect and acceptance; enhances intellectual and analytical capacity; develops critical thinking ability; enhances interpersonal and communication skills)

Learn parliamentary procedure and understand how a resolutions is presented in the House of Delegates (Understand and master democratic process, Robert’s Rules of Order, play by prescribed rules and regulations)

Meet with resolutions committee to review the resolution; take the committee’s comments and suggestions under consideration. (Manage conflict and master conflict resolution; treat others with respect and acceptance; enhances intellectual and analytical capacity; develops critical thinking ability; enhances interpersonal and communication skills)

Attend resolutions hearings to hear debate; be prepared to answer questions and to defend position. (Develops effective interpersonal and communication skills; critical thinking; listening skills; enhances interpersonal and communication skills; motivate others to participate in decision making)

If needed, compromise and resolve concerns about the resolution. (Learn to adapt quickly to new situations; develops effective interpersonal and communication skills; critical thinking; listening skills; motivate others to participate in decision making; treat others with respect and acceptance)

Speak to resolution at the House of Delegates. (Develops effective interpersonal and communication skills; public speaking; parliamentary procedure; debate skills)

If action fails; analyze why. (Develops intellectual and analytical capacity)

If action carries, communicate this at school and state. (Develops effective interpersonal and communication skills; public speaking, writing skills)

Build on this process by participating in similar policy development in professional organizations as a Registered Nurse (i.e. American Nurses’ Association, State Nurses’ Association, District Nurses’ Association)