Professional Leadership Growth Plan
Celestial Dawn Hahn, MSN, RNC-OB, CCE
Doctoral Student, Ed.D. in Interdisciplinary Leadership (Expected May 2026)
Introduction
As a nursing professional and academic leader with over 28 years of experience, I have witnessed firsthand the power of transformational leadership to improve patient outcomes, inspire students, and elevate healthcare practice. My goal is to leverage my experience as a nurse, educator, and mentor to create sustainable change in nursing education and clinical practice. This Professional Leadership Growth Plan outlines my vision, core values, development goals, and strategies to expand my capacity as a leader, ensuring that I continue to positively impact students, colleagues, and the communities I serve.
Vision Statement
To be an innovative nursing leader who shapes the future of maternal-child health education by integrating evidence-based practice, high-fidelity simulation, and compassionate leadership to prepare nurses who are clinically competent, emotionally intelligent, and ready to provide holistic, patient-centered care.
Core Leadership Values
- Integrity: Consistently act with honesty and transparency, serving as a role model for students and colleagues.
- Excellence: Commit to high standards of teaching, patient care, and leadership practice.
- Compassion: Lead with empathy and respect, recognizing the humanity of every patient, student, and team member.
- Collaboration: Build strong interdisciplinary relationships to enhance team performance and patient outcomes.
- Innovation: Embrace new technologies, teaching strategies, and evidence-based solutions to improve education and care delivery.
Leadership Development Goals
| Goal | Objective | Success Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Strengthen Transformational Leadership Skills | Complete coursework in leadership theory, change management, and organizational strategy. Apply concepts to curriculum design and team mentorship. | Successful completion of Ed.D. coursework with application projects implemented in teaching and clinical settings. |
| 2. Advance Educational Innovation | Design and implement hybrid simulation models combining mannequin- and actor-based scenarios. | Increased student engagement and positive evaluations in OB nursing courses and simulations. |
| 3. Enhance Research and Scholarship | Complete dissertation on nursing students’ experiences with simulation and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals. | Dissertation defense and publication of at least one article in a nursing education journal. |
| 4. Mentor Emerging Nurse Leaders | Develop structured mentorship opportunities for nursing students and new graduate nurses. | Documented mentorship outcomes (improved retention, satisfaction, and professional confidence). |
| 5. Contribute to Healthcare & Academic Leadership | Serve on committees and task forces that address curriculum redesign, competency-based education, and NCLEX readiness. | Participation and leadership roles on institutional committees and contributions to policy changes. |
Action Plan & Strategies
- Professional Development
- Engage in leadership training, conferences (NLN, AWHONN), and continuing education related to simulation pedagogy.
- Attend workshops on emotional intelligence and communication in healthcare leadership.
- Practical Application
- Apply Kotter’s Change Model and transformational leadership principles when implementing curriculum changes.
- Collaborate with faculty to pilot innovative teaching strategies (flipped classroom, case-based learning).
- Research & Scholarship
- Maintain a structured writing schedule to complete dissertation milestones.
- Seek opportunities for conference presentations and scholarly publication.
- Mentorship & Coaching
- Create a mentorship guide and checklist for nursing students transitioning into clinical practice.
- Offer regular reflective practice sessions to foster resilience and professional growth.
- Evaluation & Continuous Improvement
- Collect data through student evaluations, course outcomes, and peer feedback.
- Revise teaching and leadership approaches based on evaluation results and best practice standards.
Timeline
| Timeline | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Complete dissertation data analysis and draft Chapters 4 & 5. Continue leadership role in curriculum development. |
| 2026 | Successfully defend dissertation and graduate with Ed.D. degree. Implement findings into simulation program redesign. |
| 2027 | Publish research findings and present at national nursing education conferences. Develop faculty workshops for simulation best practices. |
| Ongoing | Mentor students and faculty, contribute to institutional leadership, and remain active in professional organizations. |
Evaluation and Reflection
Progress will be evaluated annually through self-reflection, student and peer feedback, and achievement of measurable outcomes (course evaluations, NCLEX pass rates, publication record). Reflection will focus on aligning leadership practice with professional values, identifying areas for growth, and celebrating successes that contribute to nursing education and patient care excellence.
Organizational Leadership 