title: Shaping a career trajectory in academic administration: leadership development for the deanship.
abstract: The nursing profession continues to face many challenges, one of which is an insufficient number of aspiring leaders. The role of an academic leader, specifically that of dean, brings with it unique challenges and opportunities. Shaping a career in academic administration requires careful consideration of the leadership skills necessary to perform in this complex and challenging role. However, it is critical to the future of nursing as a profession that ample numbers of aspiring leaders can successfully make this transition. One can be better prepared to take on this exciting and rewarding leadership opportunity when one understands the challenges deans face, asks questions such as "Do I really want a deanship?," identifies the required leadership skills, defines a career trajectory and pathway, and develops the leadership skills necessary for deans.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, MS 6264, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA. alexia.green@ttuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Alexia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ridenour
mesh_terms: D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007857:Leadership; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009734:Nursing Faculty Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration