Sustaining a Global Social Network: a quasi-experimental study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the longer term impact on the social network of participating nurses in the Global Nursing Leadership Institute (GNLI2013) through using differing frequencies of follow-up to assess impact on maintenance of network cohesion.


BACKGROUND
Social network analysis is increasingly been used by nurse researchers, however, studies tend to use single point-in-time descriptive methods.


METHODS
This study utilizes a repeated measures, block group, control-intervention, quasi-experimental design. Twenty-eight nurse leaders, competitively selected through a double-blind peer review process, were allocated to five action learning-based learning groups. Network architecture, measures of cohesion and node degree frequency were all used to assess programme impact.


RESULTS
The programme initiated and sustained connections between nurse leaders drawn from a geographically dispersed heterogeneous group. Modest inputs of two to three e-mails over a 6-month period seem sufficient to maintain connectivity as indicated by measures of network density, diameter and path length.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to the teaching methodology used, the study sample was relatively small and the follow-up data collection took place after a relatively short time. Replication and further cohort data collection would be advantageous.


CONCLUSIONS
In an era where many policy solutions are being debated and initiated at the global level, action learning leadership development that utilizes new technology follow-up appears to show significant impact and is worthy of wider application. The approach warrants further inquiry and testing as to its longer term effects on nursing's influence on policy formulation and implementation.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Chicago, IL, USA.
D C
DC
Benton
Stanford University, Bing Stanford in Washington Program, Washington, DC, USA.
S L
SL
Ferguson
D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006285:Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012944:Social Support
Action Learning; Globalization; Influencing Policy; Leadership; Quasi-Experimental Design; Social Network Analysis