FNF Rising Leaders Programme

As one of our Academy member benefits, FNF is pleased to offer a 9-month Rising Leaders Programme (formerly FNF Fellows) to nurses and midwives who are employed at our FNF Academy Member organisations.

Our Chief Nurse/Director of Nursing members can nominate one FNF Rising Leader annually (one per organisation).

Details of the 2026/27 programme can be found below.

“The programme gave me language for things I’d already felt but couldn’t articulate – about power, about influence, about what leadership actually looks like at my level.” Rising Leaders participant (formerly FNF Fellows Programme)

Who is eligible?

The Rising Leaders Programme is aligned to Stage 1 (New and First-Line Managers and Leaders) of the NHS England Management and Leadership Framework.

It is aimed at registered nurses and midwives working across any setting, including clinical practice, social care, and higher education, who:

• Are taking on their first supervisory, leadership, or management role.
• Typically have responsibility for one team or line of accountability.
• Are beginning to take on responsibility for the work of others, alongside their own.

This could include:

• A newly registered nurse or midwife stepping into their first team-leading role.
• Someone moving up a Banding (or equivalent grading structure) into their first management role.
• An early-career academic moving into their first programme or course leadership role.
• A senior care worker in a social care setting moving into their first registered manager role.

“I did not expect it would change me so much. I can see clearly all possible solutions, escalation pathways – and I do not feel afraid of challenges anymore.” Participant promoted during the 2025/2026 programme from Band 6 to Band 7

How to make a nomination

Each FNF Academy Member organisation receives one complimentary place per membership year.

• Access the nomination form below.
• Confirm that you are the CNO, Executive Director of Nursing, Dean or most senior nursing leader in your organisation, or are acting on their behalf.
• Submit your nomination by 3 August 2026.

“I am proud to be have been part of the Florence Nightingale Foundation Fellowship, developing the skills, confidence, and insight to lead with compassion, influence change, and make a meaningful difference in healthcare.” Katy Harris, Practice Education Nurse

Can my organisation have more than one place?

All FNF Academy members receive one complimentary place as part of their membership. Additional places can be purchased.

If you would like to purchase additional places, please contact us at membership@florence-nightingale-foundation.org.uk

If the nomination is successful, what happens next?

Those who are successful will be contacted to confirm which cohort they have been allocated to, we will also share more programme details/information. This programme has three cohorts.

Please expect to hear from us by the end of August.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please email membership@florence-nightingale-foundation.org.uk