Target Audience and Program Overview | Program Cost | Benefits of Fellowship 
Selection Process | Timeline | Program Q&A | Mentors
Background | CCL Program Brochure | Contact Us 
E3 Fellowship Alums

Now Accepting Applications!
Deadline: January 16, 2026

Meet the 2025 Emerging Leader Fellows!
Check out this webinar to learn more about the program!

Target Audience and Program Overview
Well suited for frontline managers and nursing supervisors, first-time managers, or individuals preparing to transition into a first-level managerial role across the field of nursing including clinical, academia and public health.

"The fellowship has proven to be a truly transformative experience. The leadership skills I developed through the course empowered me to secure a new leadership position within a different department of the same organization. Now, not only am I invited to participate in meetings with senior leaders, but my ideas and innovations are also given serious consideration, aligning closely with the organization’s mission and vision. This sense of empowerment is truly inspiring and has motivated me to continue my journey in nursing leadership." Yolaine Nozile, RN, MSN, CLNC, FCN - HANA-I, Emerging Leader Cohort 2024


In an 8 month interactive format, the NurseTRUST Emerging Leaders Program focuses on six key competencies that are essential for emerging leaders to master: self- awareness, learning agility, communication, political savvy, influencing outcomes, and motivating others. The curriculum is delivered in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) through virtual and in-person methods and combines the curriculum with self-directed, individualized leadership development activities and mentoring. 

The program maximizes the opportunities presented within a cohort model consisting of about 24 exceptional nurse leaders.

Program Costs
The cost for the Emerging Leaders program is $5,000. The fellow is responsible for travel to and lodging at the 2026 Summit which will be held April 12-14 in Phoenix, AZ. Many fellows seek funding support from their respective employer/organization.    

What’s Included?

  • 8 month interactive emerging leader program
  • Registration for the in-person 2026 NurseTRUST Summit
  • Personalized mentor guidance throughout the program
  • Collegial like-minded nurse leaders within your selected cohort in a similar phase of development across sectors within the United States
  • Access to special programs like TRUSTed Conversations which provide a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge while connecting with a network of accomplished nurse leaders in every sector of nursing practice
  • One year complimentary NurseTRUST membership

 

Mentors
Fellows will be assigned a mentor from NurseTRUST for the duration of the program.

Benefits to Participants:

  • Gain a detailed picture of your personal strengths and challenges 
  • Achieve skills on how to listen, speak, and write clearly and consistently for maximum impact
  • Integrate techniques for influencing others effectively to gain cooperation and get things done
  • Design strategies for inspiring commitment and building strong working relationships
  • Develop a long-term Leadership Growth Plan that's actionable and measurable 
  • Mentor through how to solve an existing leadership problem in your workplace by identifying your key leadership challenge
  • Have an opportunity to share and disseminate your work in your key leadership challenge.

Benefits to Organizations Who Fund a Fellow:

  • Better preparing emerging leaders: Those new to leadership roles or transitioning to a new setting or context will be better prepared from day one for the challenges and complexities facing health care leaders now and in the future. These newly prepared leaders will then mentor others in your organization
  • Return on investment: Participants will learn from and develop ongoing relationships with other new leaders across the country that will bring new ideas and innovations into your organization/health system
  • Better recruitment: Investing in staff leadership development can pay dividends and encourage well prepared nurses to join your organization and increase the quality, safety and equity of the care provided. 
  • Solve a critical leadership problem within the organization with expert guidance and consultation.


Jordan Yakoby 2023 NurseTRUST Emerging Leader graduate: "The NurseTRUST E3 Fellowship was an amazing program that has really made me more introspective about the leadership journey. While I've always been some to ponder, this Fellowship made me more deliberative in my approach to leadership. I am now hyper focused on what the goal is, who the stakeholders are, and how they might perceive the situation. And above all, I have really come to appreciate now more than ever the need for meaningful consultation with team members and colleagues before embarking upon a course of action. To say that this has been a transformative experience is an understatement. I've gotten some really great pearls from my mentor. Thank you for including me in the NurseTRUST journey!'

Shelley Thompkins, CCL: “Frontline Leader Impact brings together CCL’s world-class content and experienced faculty to deliver an effective online leadership development experience that serves the needs of organizations looking to develop their frontline managers.”

Program Timeline for the 25-26 Cohort 

  • May 15, 2025 - January 15, 2026: Application Window Open
  • August 2025, December 2025, January 2026: Applicant interviews will be held in August, December, and January. Each applicant will have an interview with members of the Fellowship Committee. The timing of the interview will depend upon when the application is submitted. 
  • January 15, 2026: Applications Due
  • January 31, 2026: Finalists Notified of Acceptance into Program
  • February 2026: Fellow/Mentor Match Complete
  • March 2, 2026: $5,000 Program Fee Due
  • March 4, 2026: Fellow Program Kickoff - 2-4pm ET 
  • April 2026: The NurseTRUST Emerging Leaders Program Workshop will be held on April 12, 2026 at the NurseTRUST Summit in Phoenix, AZ. Attendance at the Summit is required, April 12-14, 2026. 
  • September 10, 2026: Key Leadership Challenge Presentation - 2-5pm ET

Selection Process
Nurse leaders from all healthcare sectors are encouraged to apply, including but not limited to hospital, long-term care, community care centers, public health, mental health, academia, business, government and self-employed nurses. Highly diverse cohorts are sought with 24 leaders per cohort. NurseTRUST embrace diversity, equity and inclusion and we encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds to apply to the NurseTRUST E3 Fellowship Program. Most importantly, each applicant must aspire to lead and shape health care locally and nationally.

Applicants will be screened, interviewed, and selected by the NurseTRUST E3 Fellowship Committee. 

Fellowship Program Background
Accessible, individualized, high-quality care is dependent on exceptional nursing leadership. The pipeline of nurse leaders must be developed and sustained in order for nursing to be full partners in decision making related to the health of our population and our health care system. NurseTRUST is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to inspire and enable nurse leaders to grow, collaborate, and transform health, health equity and health care. 

Many leadership development programs are targeted toward senior leaders, however NurseTRUST focuses on supporting leaders throughout their journey. The program presents a unique opportunity to learn from experts who have experience in senior leadership roles in health systems, universities, business, public health, and community sectors. 

The NurseTRUST E3 Fellowship Program will focus on three levels of nurse leaders: 1) Emerging Leaders; 2) Experienced Leaders, and 3) Executive Leaders. Our current focus is on Emerging Leaders. Key components of the programs include structured education through webinars, 360 degree assessment, mentorship, a learning project individualized to the leader participant, cohort experiences including team building, real world problem solving and an in-person session at the annual NurseTRUST Summit. 

Contact Us
For questions about the program, please contact us at [email protected] or 859-514-9164. 

Back to the Top