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, system strategy, workforce development, and healthcare innovation across a leading academic health system.
The fellowship combines executive mentorship, structured rotational learning, project leadership, and participation in enterprise-level initiatives. Through planned experiences across the College of Nursing and UF Health, the Fellow will develop expertise in academic operations, student and faculty success, clinical operations, finance, workforce strategy, research administration, operational excellence, and strategic program implementation. All providing a comprehensive understanding of how system functions support both clinical care and academic missions.
During the fellowship, the Fellow will participate in executive leadership meetings, governance activities, strategic planning initiatives, and interdisciplinary collaborations while leading high-impact projects aligned with the college of nursing’s strategic priorities. The fellowship culminates in the successful completion of enterprise-level initiatives designed to improve organizational outcomes, advance nursing leadership excellence, and strengthen academic-practice partnerships alignment and goals. With close mentorship, fellows will shape, manage, and implement impactful projects that bridge academic and health system objectives.
This fellowship uniquely prepares future nurse leaders to succeed in complex roles spanning healthcare delivery, education, and system transformation.
Leadership Development
Participate in executive-level leadership experiences through direct mentorship and shadowing opportunities with the Dean of the College of Nursing and System Chief Nurse Executive. In conjunction, 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, 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.
Academic and Clinical Operations
Participate in rotational learning experiences across College of Nursing and UF Health operational areas to develop a comprehensive understanding of academic and healthcare administration. 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 and support high-priority strategic projects aligned with institutional goals.
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 & Resource Management
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 structured 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.
United States·Gainesvillemid