SolarSPELL is a digital learning library created at Arizona State University for
educational environments in the Pacific and East Africa. The library is curated to deliver information to resource-challenged communities around the world, providing culturally relevant materials in a solar-powered data repository. A new SolarSPELL health library was deployed in a border-adjacent community in Sonora, Mexico to enhance health education resources. The Sonoran SolarSPELL (SSS) library is a community-driven model established through Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) leadership and reflects the innovative focus of SolarSPELL.

The purpose of this report is to contextualize the Sonoran SolarSPELL experience, identify opportunities for process improvement and innovative leadership, and identify an evidence-based framework to guide implementation in new communities. Implementation framework utilization is especially important in the integration of technology into healthcare settings, where barriers can be novel and complex. Key focal points included the development of strong partnerships with the community members, collaborative design, and leadership roles of DNPs in project development and implementation. This study provides a paradigm for both DNP leadership and the application of innovative healthcare technologies in under-served communities throughout the world.

The World Health Organization (2010) reports the nursing shortage is a global issue. With the impact of the shortage causing concern for nurse leaders, retaining Registered Nurses (RNs) is an effective strategy. The emergency department (ED) work environment provides an additional challenge to keep nurses as the ED is a fast-paced, critical care setting where RNs are providing care to multiple patients with a wide range of needs every shift. This paper will examine current literature addressing factors impacting and strategies for improving ED RN retention.

A systematic review of the literature showed relationship-focused/transformational leadership practices have a positive influence on job satisfaction and organizational commitment which translates to higher RN retention. The literature also indicated complexity leadership is needed in today’s changing health care environment. An evidence-based practice project was designed to assist the ED leaders evaluate and improve their leadership behaviors. A combination of education and coaching was provided, utilizing the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire to assess the participants’ self- and rater evaluations before and after the intervention.

Although the results were not statically significant, feedback from participants and observations by the coach identified the education and coaching did have an impact on individuals that actively participated in the project. Those that embraced the concepts and followed through on their action plans have continued to practice, further developing innovative leadership behaviors after the project timeframe was completed