An Introduction to NEXT-ANL

Why A Kitchen?

Before we venture into the domestic realm, let’s get that acronym out of the way. In case “ANL” is new to you, it stands for Academic Nursing Leader (or at least it does now). The fact that either the acronym or the title may be unfamiliar is actually one reason I created Next-ANL. Academic nursing leaders lack digital venues. We are short on the kind of communication that enriches our niche. As a result, the conversations that help us to know ourselves and establish our identity don’t exist. 

And that brings us to the kitchen. Consider this analogy. Academic nursing leaders have many dining rooms, but very few kitchens. In the dining room, the meal is “presented” - complete with garnish and serving dishes. The ambiance is managed into a predictable serenity. There are no experiments, just finished products. In the kitchen, the artistry of a domestic disaster can unfold uninhibited. A dog is in the way, kids are sampling the dough with dirty hands, and the desperate search for an egg substitute ensues. But no one minds too much - it’s the kitchen. It is where things are made, not served. There is a sink, an oven, a wastebasket, a juicer, a mixer, a fire extinguisher, and, most importantly, unlimited food sources… Everything you might need for great conversation, great engagement, and great ideas.

So, What Is Next-ANL?

Next-ANL is a blog designed to be a forum for next-gen academic nursing leaders interested in creating next-era academic nursing. Most of today’s digital sources for current or aspiring academic nursing leaders are tied to professional organizations. Sites such as those of AACN, NLN, and AONL, are robust resources but they are not necessarily designed to support the free-flow of conversation that is needed when leaders are trying to hammer out forward-thinking ideas in real-time. Next-ANL complements existing digital resources by creating a venue for advancing academic nursing through the sometimes messy process of thinking out loud.  The primary goal is to challenge both current and future academic nursing leaders to engage in compelling conversations about the future of academic nursing. 

Stepping back into the kitchen analogy, Next-ANL is intended to be a kitchen with no dining room attached. Here, the green bean casserole can be dumped into the trash, the counter cleared, and a restart made from scratch. The meal may be simple or sophisticated, but in either case, it will be eaten in the kitchen, at the counter, with elbows comfortably flanking plates. That’s not to say good things won’t come out of this space. They undoubtedly will. Here, however, there is not the pressure of a dining room full of people waiting for perfect risotto and a wine pairing that will be remembered for all of time.

Next-ANL aspires to be an ideal space for sharing innovation, creativity, experimentation, and best of all, good thinking, with colleagues and friends. Over time, this environment will be created through serial blogs dedicated to annual themes, occasional blogs reacting to current events, and podcast-style audio interviews with leaders inside and outside the profession. 

What Is the Ethos That Guides Next-ANL? 

Every blog, and every kitchen for that matter is shaped and guided by an ethos. For example, my mother’s kitchen was dominated largely by one core commitment, expediency. With eight children to feed, a full-time job, and a household to maintain, an easily tripled five-ingredient recipe that could be made in under 30 minutes was ideal. Sometimes, alerting guests up-front to the norms that inform a blog can help shape expectations.

The tone and content of Next-ANL is guided by the following six commitments. These commitments are expressed as statements of “this but not that” to help readers grasp the intended meaning. 

Provocative, but not disparaging.

Next-ANL is interested in engaging conversations which challenge convention and open up space for new thinking. While that may mean occasionally ruffling feathers, adherence to the norms of civility is always observed. It is as important to recognize what’s been done well as it is to recognize what could be done better.

Edgy, but not radical.

In order to provoke new perspectives and innovative thought, it is necessary to look to the fringe of what is currently taking place in academic nursing, higher ed, and other industry sectors. Exploring these spaces does not require adopting a fully contrarian or anti-establishment mindset, only a willingness to explore what treasures might exist in spheres not typically considered by academic nursing leaders.

Declarative, but not prescriptive.

Provoking the best thinking may require putting stakes in the ground so as to provide firm starting points. Those stakes may not always align with other voices. Clear positional statements help to create the tension that often leads to the best thinking. When positions are stated compellingly, it is not necessary to tell others what ought to be done. The reflection and debate that ensues is the prelude to others determining for themselves what consequent steps might be.

Independent, but not disconnected.

Next-ANL is not sponsored or directed by any nursing, healthcare, or higher education organization. With that said, engaging in constructive and lively discourse with the individual and organizational thought leaders that influence the world of academic nurse leaders is the aim.

Free-minded, but not baseless.

As a blog, Next-ANL is most interested in creating a venue for the free flow and exchange of ideas. While the precision of a refereed publication is not the goal, every consideration is given to ensuring accurate information is disseminated.

Vanguard, but not groupie.

Thankfully, academic nursing is not devoid of leadership. There are many reputable voices in today’s world. Sometimes, however, these voices may begin to sound fairly uniform. The “cutting edge” can refer to more than one edge on any given issue. Next-ANL affirms the goodness of exploring all of those edges. 

Is There Room in the Kitchen?

The answer is an emphatic “Yes!” The participation of nursing faculty, aspiring and current academic nursing leaders, and other interested parties is critical to the value proposition of Next-ANL. There are several ways you can jump in that don’t involve chopping onions.

• Comment. Generating intelligent and provocative conversation serves as the lifeblood of any discourse. Is the seasoning just right? Compliment the cook. Was the steak overcooked? Let it be known! Do you have a better kneading technique? Show us. The value of Next-ANL is in the exchange that it is designed to foster. 

• Share. If Next-ANL feeds your appetite, invite a friend to share your plate. The greater the diversity of voices that are represented, the more likely it is that creativity and innovation will take place. Fusion cuisine will be one of the most frequently served dishes in this kitchen.

• Guest Blog. Perhaps you have something to say and feel you can make a compelling contribution in 1500 words or less. Let me know, I’d love to hear your ideas.

• Recommend or Give an Interview. Podcast-style audio interviews are a superb way to get people thinking and talking. If you have a connection to someone you think would be a fit for an interview on Next-ANL (even if that someone is you!), please let me know. 

If you are ready to step back, reexamine, reconsider, and reflect on issues relevant to academic nursing leaders, you will enjoy Next-ANL. You’re invited into the kitchen!