The Discovering Level provides short experiential learning opportunities (ranging from a few hours to two days) for registered and non-registered nurses and midwives and others under the ‘umbrella’ of nursing and midwifery. It enables staff to step outside their usual role, explore different services or leadership settings, develop specific objectives and reflect on their learning with the support of a mentor. Opportunities will include:
- clinical shadowing – another role or department
- succession planning – meeting with someone in the role you aspire to
- developing organisational understanding – attending meetings, QI teams, clinical education, research
Target Group
All registered and non-registered nurses and midwives and those under the ‘umbrella’ of nursing and midwifery who have been qualified for more than 12 months and have been working in their substantive role for more than 6 months.
Criteria for Application
- If Registered Nurse/Midwife, qualified for 12 months
- Substantive post in NHS Lothian, in current role for at least 6 months
- Discussion and agreement by line manager as part of appraisal / personal development planning (PDP)
- Mandatory and essential learning has been completed
The number of Discovering Level opportunities completed by an individual staff member will be at the discretion of their line manager.
Identifying Discovering Level Opportunities
There are two types of Discovering Level Opportunities:
- Advertised opportunities – please review the Discovery Level Opportunity Library
- Opportunities identified by the applicant – make contact with an individual or department that you would like to shadow/visit and ask them to complete a Experiential Leadership Academy Opportunity Template
How to Apply
- Check you meet the criteria for application
- Discuss with your line manager, including your planned opportunity
- If approved, complete the Discovering Level application form, including the objectives you wish to achieve. Obtain signature of line manager.
- Contact mentor and share application form
- Agree objective, dates and duration of experience
- Confirm with line manager
Criteria for Discovering Level Award
A certificate of Discovery Level Award will be issued by the line manager when the following criteria are met:
- Evidence of completion of the full Discovering Opportunity
- Completion of reflection document, including three identified learning points
- Sign off by mentor and line manager
