Student Experience of the Advanced Leadership Professional Practice Education Pathway

Abstract

Many higher education courses designed to develop leadership skills, knowledge and attributes in health and human services are centred on individual skill development and competencies. Organisational needs are not always taken in consideration. Competencies for effective teamwork, collaboration and driving change, are missing from leadership development curricula and educational strategies. The Professional Practice Pathway: Advanced Leadership for Guiding Transformation (PPP) was developed to address these short comings by incorporating work-integrated learning projects, learning circles and mindfulness.

This study evaluates the PPP by investigating effectiveness, focussing on transformed thinking and its translation into transformed behaviours. Qualitative enquiry was used to explore students learning experiences. Five students (63%) from the 2021 PPP cohort participated in this study by taking part in in-depth interviews. Three participants (60%) were female, and all participants were employed in full time roles in health and human services.

Four themes were developed through a thematic analysis approach: enablers for learning, being connected, overcoming barriers, changed leader, and overcoming barriers in leadership transformation. It has become clear that the PPP provided opportunities for a small group of health and human service professionals to learn and change together. Students developed a better understanding of self, reflected on previous, current, and future practice in leadership and were able to build on knowledge and skills by applying their learnings. The creation a positive learning environment contributed significantly to participants leadership development, contributing to effective and efficient workplace practices ultimately leading to better patient and organisational outcomes.