Strengthening Every Step: Enriching Your Leadership Journey
The Debbie Adams Leadership Academy at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston prepares nurses to lead by offering curriculum that focuses on fostering effective leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
Programs offered by the academy provide experienced nurses and new nurse leaders with the confidence and skills to be effective leaders in complex health care environments. Our goal is to serve as a nursing leadership educational hub for students, alumni, clinical partners, and the community.
Leadership Development Opportunities
Foundations in Nursing Leadership
The Foundations in Nursing Leadership course is offered twice a year to Cizik School of Nursing MSN, DNP, and PhD students not currently studying in a leadership track, alumni, and other nurses in the community. This intensive, two-day program supports the academic objectives of fostering effective leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
Spring 2026 schedule:
- Foundations in Nursing Leadership course offered in-person Thursday, March 26, and April 9, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Registration closes on March 1, 2026.
- Register now.
Scholarships available for leadership programs
The Debbie Adams Leadership Academy will offer two full scholarships for the Spring 2026 Foundations in Nursing Leadership course to candidates who demonstrate a commitment to leadership development and exhibit potential for significant contributions to the nursing profession.
Course Details
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Benefits
- 12.75 hours of nursing continuing professional development*
- Priority enrollment for future Leadership Academy offerings
- Designation as a Debbie Adams Leadership Academy Scholar
- Upon completion of the Foundations course, current students and alumni will be offered a one-hour, one-on-one career coaching session with a distinguished member of the Leadership Academy Advisory Council.
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Eligibility
Registered nurse with a minimum of two years of experience
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Cost
- General registration: $500
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Scholarship Information
Scholarship Criteria
- Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a licensed Registered Nurse (RN) or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).
- Must have at least two years of professional nursing experience.
- Currently employed in a health care or academic setting.
- Leadership Potential
- Demonstrates a commitment to leadership within their workplace or community.
- Actively participates in initiatives or projects that improve patient care, team dynamics, or health care outcomes.
- Professional Goals
- Articulates clear, achievable goals related to leadership in nursing.
- Desires to apply leadership skills to drive innovation and excellence in nursing practice or education.
What you will need to apply
The scholarship application requires submission of a current CV, your RN licensure number, and a personal statement that addresses your area of academic interest, future nursing aspirations, and how receiving a scholarship will benefit you. Your statement should also address any specific challenges you face in your nursing practice that you hope this program will help address. The statement should be no longer than one page, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins using 12 pt. New Times Roman.Submission Instructions
Applications must be submitted by February 15, 2026, at 11:45 p.m. for the Spring 2026 Foundations in Leadership course. Apply for the scholarship.
