The course covers key concepts of effective leadership and aspects of the work environment that support job satisfaction, well-being, and performance. It explores leadership approaches and practices that foster trust, good communication, psychological safety, autonomy, and responsibility, and how these factors promote job satisfaction, inclusion, and professional effectiveness.

Upon completion of the course, participants are expected to have knowledge and understanding of the main concepts and emphases of effective leadership in nursing, and to gain insight into practical ways of supporting the job satisfaction, psychological safety, inclusion, and performance of nurses in their work.

The course is taught in English and is open to all nurses. Teaching methods include lectures, dialogue and reflection on the material. Recordings of lectures and course readings are available on the course website, and participants are expected to familiarise themselves with the material before classes begin. Class sessions focus on discussion and reflection on the content in relation to nurses’ work settings.

The course instructor is Dr. Sigrún Gunnarsdóttir.

To register, please press Skráning á viðburð, this will take you to My Pages where you will find the event under Viðburðir. Lunch is not included. There will be light refreshments in the morning and afternoon.

Agenda / dagskrá

Thursday / fimmtudaginn 27. ágúst 2026 kl. 9 – 15

Lecturer / leiðbeinandi er Dr. Sigrún Gunnarsdóttir, hjúkrunarfræðingur og prófessor, Háskóla Íslands

9:00 – 9:30 Introduction to the course

Each participant introduces themselves and describes: "My own expectations and goals for participating in the course"

9:30 – 10:00 First theme of the course: Effective nursing leadership – key elements

Discussion among all participants: Questions - Reflection

10:10 – 10:30 Hlé / Break

10:30 – 11:00 Second theme of the course: Nurse leadership and a healthy work environment

Discussion among all participants: Questions - Reflection

11:00 – 11:25 In-session group exercise

11:25 – 11:50 Summary from all the groups & Discussion

11:50 – 12:20 Hádegi / Lunch break

12:20 – 12:50 Third theme of the course: Nurse leadership, professionalism and growth

Discussion among all participants: Questions - Reflection

12:50 – 13:15 In-session group exercise

13:15 – 13:40 Summary from all the groups & Discussion

13:40 – 14:00 Hlé / Break

14:00 – 14:30: Fourth theme of the course: Nurse leadership, empowerment and self-care

Discussion among all participants: Questions - Reflection

14:30 – 15:00 Summary of the course

Discussion: "What have I learned today, and how will I follow up on this course?"