Page 18 - QARANC Vol 19 No 1 2021
P. 18
16 The Gazette QARANC Association
Florence Nightingale Foundation Army Leadership Programme 2019-2020
– my experiences
On hearing of this fabulous opportunity, I was immediately keen. Following a selection process, I was fortunate enough to be offered a place on this programme and began the course in December 2019. I will now briefly tell you what this programme has given me, and why you should consider applying.
The course allowed me the opportunity to learn more about myself, understanding what I already do well and what I do less well. Most I was aware of, but it was invaluable to gain confirmation. I was provided with the chance to understand more about my own personality, much more than just the fact I am an introvert. Although in life you must play with the hand you are dealt, you can certainly learn to make more of your own personality traits, by understanding how you and other personality types function and interconnect.
Including myself there were ten in my programme group, five officers and five other ranks. We had all travelled different paths to reach this programme, and the group dynamic was ideal to facilitate our learning. Together, we were introduced to superb new skills and ideas; our varied views and experience
supporting collective growth. The two days spent with RADA were particularly interesting, examining how to present yourself better to others, both one-to-one and to a group.
It would be untrue to say that COVID-19 had not affected this process for me. Although the initial key contact days in the programme were all achieved by the end of January 2020, the later events were postponed indefinitely. However, despite those barriers caused by COVID-19 this has been a fantastic journey, and one I know that has not yet concluded.
Much of what this programme provides are tools for further development. Participants can begin to make gradual positive adjustments back in their workplace. As well as being exposed to interesting and motivational clinical leaders during the initial contact days, my view was that if I could find other self-directed development opportunities this would allow my development path to continue long after the programme’s contact days.
My efforts to arrange shadow days with other clinical leaders were impacted by the emerging COVID-19 situation, however I hope my development pathway will
continue into 2021.
Participants were also tasked with
formulating a quality improvement, identifying an issue where we could implement positive change. My topic of attention was related to creating a system of departmental feedback from deployed hospitals to inform future deployments. Again, COVID-19 has seriously affected the progress of this aspect of my programme development. This QIP is still being worked on, but with persistence it will eventually reap positive results.
My Florence Nightingale Foundation journey has been profoundly beneficial so far. COVID-19 has created an unwelcome hurdle to fulfilling some of my desired outcomes, but I hope that I can conclude any remaining tasks. Undoubtedly this has been a fantastic chance to support self- improvement, facilitating a better understanding and delivery of clinical leadership.
I will take this knowledge to my next role and have no doubt that I will continue to refer to what I have learned from this programme for the remainder of my Army career.
Major Angus Millar
Dates for your Diary
Board of Trustees meetings
29 April 2021, 29 July 2021, 28 October 2021. Trustees will be notified of any changes.
Branch chairs and secretaries meeting
Friday 24 September 2021 at 14.00 hours. Leeds Marriot Hotel, 4, Trevelyan Square, Board Lane, Leeds, LS1 6ET.
QARANC Association Reunion and lunch
Saturday 25 September 2021 at 11.30 hours. Leeds Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive, Leeds, LS10 1LT.