NLN Announces Selections for 2026 Leadership Institute

NLN Announces Selections for 2026 Leadership Institute

Professional Development Program Emphasizes Individualized Executive Coaching & Enhanced Leadership Skills

Washington, DC — The National League for Nursing proudly announces the selection, through competitive application, of 26 nurse educators and nurses in practice for the 2026 NLN Leadership Institute. 

The Institute, under the NLN Center for Transformational Leadership, offers a dual track approach. LEAD is appropriate for nurses in education and practice who have recently been challenged with rapid transition into leadership positions; those already in positions of leadership who want formal leadership training; and still others who identify as emerging leaders or have leadership aspirations.

A second track, Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators (Sim Leaders), is designed for the mid-career simulation nurse educator who aspires to a leadership role in simulation. Sim Leaders’ participants focus on maximizing their leadership potential to advance simulation initiatives in nursing education and practice.

These yearlong programs represent a significant investment in professional leadership development. Participants on both tracks spend a calendar year engaged in activities to identify personal and professional goals; learn about what makes an effective leader; and strategize how to retool skill sets and experiences to achieve individual and institutional benchmarks. To that end, everyone receives intensive one-on-one executive coaching. In addition, they attend virtual group coaching sessions, a retreat, and leadership webinars, where they study leadership theory and development that includes experiential learning activities.

The Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators is designed to equip mid-career simulation educators with the leadership skills necessary to advance best practices in simulation education. Key components of the program include interactive sessions with simulation experts, scholarly activities aimed at creating strategic plans to enhance participants' simulation programs, and projects focused on career development and increased engagement with simulation organizations.

Participants will also develop a scholarly project to be featured in the Simulation Innovation Resource Center (SIRC). Aligned with the League’s mission of advancing excellence in nursing education, this program prepares leaders to drive innovation and foster excellence in simulation education.

The 2026 Leadership Institute will have its first meeting as in-person orientation on February 9-10 in Washington, D.C. The Intensive Leadership Retreat is currently scheduled for June 21-24, also in Washington, D.C. The groups will later reconvene at the 2026 NLN Education Summit with the theme of Beyond the Storm: Reshaping Resilience and Recovery, September 23-25, Washington D.C.

“As the leading voice of nursing education, the National League for Nursing provides cutting edge professional development to build a strong and diverse nursing workforce,” said NLN Chair Yolanda VanRiel, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, OCN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, chair of the Department of Nursing, North Carolina Central University and patient placement coordinator at First Health of the Carolinas-Moore Regional Hospital. “The selection of another outstanding LEAD and Sim leaders in the 2026 Leadership Institute demonstrates our ongoing commitment to advance the standing of nurse leaders within today’s complex and dynamic health care environment, and to influence policy and excellence in practice.”

“The National League for Nursing LEAD and Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators are the most highly respected leadership development initiatives in the field of nursing education,” said NLN President and CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN. “This will be another year of exceptional and productive accomplishments, helping to boost the personal and professional standing of this exclusive group of nurse educators.”

Chief Program Officer Dr. Gordon Gillespie serves as director for the NLN Center for Transformational Leadership. Dr. Janice Brewington, NLN LEAD consultant, manages the LEAD program with support from Dr. Inez Tuck, NLN consultant. The Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators is led by Dr. Kellie Bryant, director of the NLN Center for Innovation in Education Excellence, with support from Dr. Raquel Bertiz, senior manager of the center.

A complete list of 2026 Leadership Institute participants may be found under the LEAD and Leadership Development Program for Simulation Educators programs. For more information, visit NLN.org.

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