| Job Description: |
UF College of Nursing and UF Health Nurse Administrative Executive Fellowship
The Nurse Administrative Executive Fellowship is a two-year immersive experience designed for a doctorally-prepared nurse aspiring to lead at the intersection of academic nursing and health system leadership. This distinctive opportunity offers direct shadowing of Dr. Shakira Henderson in her integrated role as Dean of the University of Florida College of Nursing and System Chief Nurse Executive of UF Health—providing unmatched insight into executive-level strategy, academic innovation, and operational excellence across a leading academic health system.
The fellowship begins with a structured, month-long rotational shadowing experience across select departments—such as Finance, Human Resources, Operational Excellence, Simulation, Clinical Operations, and Strategic Communications—curated to provide a comprehensive understanding of how system functions support both clinical care and academic missions.
Following the initial rotations, fellows transition into a guided, project-based phase where they lead high-priority initiatives aligned with organizational goals. With close mentorship, fellows will shape, manage, and implement impactful projects that bridge academic and health system objectives. They will also participate in senior leadership and executive cabinet meetings, engage in strategic planning, and contribute to enterprise-wide initiatives across UF Health and the College of Nursing.
This fellowship uniquely prepares future nurse leaders to succeed in complex roles spanning healthcare delivery, education, and system transformation.
Responsibilities include:
- Leadership Development
Work directly with senior nursing leadership, executive teams, and administrative stakeholders to develop a deep understanding of healthcare and academic leadership functions. This includes participating in leadership meetings, shadowing executives to observe decision‑making processes, and contributing to strategic discussions regarding hospital administration and College of Nursing initiatives. The Fellow will also assist in the development and evaluation of policies, support organizational planning efforts, and gain exposure to change management strategies. Through these experiences, the Fellow will build competencies in executive communication, organizational leadership, and systems-level thinking.
- Operational Management
Assist in assessing and optimizing daily operations across both clinical and academic settings. Responsibilities include analyzing workflow efficiency, supporting resource allocation decisions, evaluating staffing models, and identifying opportunities for improving patient care delivery and academic services. The Fellow will collaborate with department directors, clinical managers, and administrative units to streamline processes, enhance service quality, and ensure alignment with institutional priorities. This may involve participation in rounding, reviewing throughput metrics, mapping workflows, and supporting operational readiness activities.
- Project Management
Lead or contribute to a diverse portfolio of administrative and operational projects that support organizational priorities. Projects may focus on quality improvement, patient safety, workforce management, accreditation readiness, or academic program support. Duties include developing project scopes, timelines, and deliverables; coordinating stakeholders; facilitating meetings; and monitoring progress to ensure objectives are met. The Fellow will utilize evidence-based project management methodologies and may be responsible for preparing reports, dashboards, and presentations summarizing outcomes and recommendations.
- Financial & Budgeting Acumen
Gain practical, hands-on exposure to the financial operations of healthcare and academic environments. This includes participating in budget planning cycles, analyzing financial performance metrics, reviewing expense reports, and learning techniques for cost containment and revenue optimization. The Fellow may assist leaders in evaluating the financial impact of operational changes, program development, or workflow redesign. Through collaboration with finance teams, the Fellow will develop foundational skills in financial literacy, budget stewardship, and data-driven decision-making.
- Regulatory Compliance & Policy Development
Support nursing and academic leadership in ensuring compliance with state, federal, accreditation, and institutional standards. Responsibilities may include reviewing policies and procedures, supporting audit preparation activities, assisting with documentation for accreditation bodies, and participating in compliance-related training and internal assessments. The Fellow will gain familiarity with regulatory frameworks such as Joint Commission standards, CMS regulations, and academic accreditation requirements. Additionally, they may contribute to drafting or revising policies to reflect updated standards or organizational changes.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Engage with a wide range of departments—including Environmental Services, Dietary Services, Nursing, Finance, Physical Therapy, Financial Services, Radiology, the Operating Room, Office of Student Services, Academic Affairs, Faculty Affairs, and Experiential Learning—to develop a comprehensive understanding of institutional operations. Through shadowing, meetings, and cross-departmental projects, the Fellow will gain insight into how various units contribute to both the patient and student experience. This interdisciplinary exposure will enhance the Fellow’s ability to understand system interdependencies, foster collaborative working relationships, and contribute to informed decision‑making.
- Professional Development & Mentorship
Participate in leadership development programming, executive mentoring opportunities, and structured training designed to enhance the Fellow’s skills and career readiness. This may include attending workshops, seminars, leadership retreats, and networking events. The Fellow will receive regular mentoring from senior executives, as well as coaching on career planning, professional communication, and leadership competencies. Opportunities may also include engagement with professional organizations, participation in conferences, and involvement in research or administrative scholarship activities.
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