Aspiring Directors Leadership Programme
The Florence Nightingale Foundation and Department of Health Northern Ireland are pleased to offer a leadership programme for Aspiring Directors of Nursing and Midwifery working in Northern Ireland at band 8a and above.
The programme has been designed and will be delivered in line with the Department of Health Northern Ireland’s priorities to provide bespoke and innovative training to ensure the next generation of clinical leaders are accountable, confident, capable and equipped to lead their teams and services with compassion and inclusivity.
Programme Objectives
- Developing the confidence and capability required to progress into the most senior leadership roles.
- Having voice and influence to promote share decision making and challenge hierarchy.
- Understanding political influence both within and outside of the organisation.
- Having a psychologically safe space to facilitate decision making, hold ambiguity and process tensions.
6 day-programme:
- Day 1: Welcome Day, MBTI and Systems
- Day 2: Being Effective as a Leader – Influence and Authority
- Day 3: Political Acumen and Promoting Change
- Day 4: Personal Presence and Impact
- Day 5: Stepping up to Board
- Day 6: Celebration and networking event
Successful candidates will be required to complete a proposal for a business case that supports learning from an incident or an event within their team/ department/ service, that will positively impact health outcomes. Participants will have several project check-ins regarding this throughout the programme.
FNF Alumni
Following the programme participants will join the FNF alumni community and receive ongoing networking and leadership development opportunities through events, webinars, communications opportunities and policy thought leadership.
Programme Dates
Complete Expression of Interest form
With support from your Divisional Director of Nursing
Day 1: Welcome day, MBTI and Systems
Leadership residential including overnight accommodation and evening meal (Belfast)
Day 2: Being Effective as a Leader. Influencing and Authority
Hart Ridge (Belfast)
Day 3: Political Acumen and Promoting Change
Eden & Partners (Belfast)
Project check-in
Virtual
Day 4: Personal Presence and Impact
RADA Business. You will be allocated a group and time (Belfast)
Project check-in
Virtual
Day 5: Stepping Up to Board
Hart Ridge (Belfast)
Day 6: Celebration and networking event
Belfast
Further details
Expression of Interest guidance
If you would like to participate in this leadership programme you will need to discuss with your Divisional Director of Nursing and, once you have their support, complete the Expression of Interest form. The form needs to be completed in one session. You will be asked:
- Personal Details: your name, job title, department/team/region, band, name and email of your Divisional Director of Nursing
- Motivation and Leadership Aspirations
- Why are you interested in this leadership programme? (Max 200 words)Â
- How will this programme support you to achieve your leadership aspirations for the future? (Max 200 words)Â
- How will you apply your learning during and after the programme? (Max 200 words)
- Why are you interested in this leadership programme? (Max 200 words)Â
- Business Case Proposal
- What challenge or opportunity have you identified as the basis for your business case proposal? (Max 300 words)Â
- How will your participation in the programme deliver value to the organisation? (Max 200 words)
The form needs to be completed by 8 December 2025.
Programme cost
All costs are being funded by the Department of Health Northern Ireland (except any travel).
Programme facilitators
Hart Ridge Consulting Ltd
RADA Business
Eden & Partners
Application process
Please complete the Expression of Interest form (you will need to first ensure support from your Divisional Director of Nursing). Guidance on completing the form can be found in the Further Details section above. Deadline for completing the form is 8 December 2025.