Nursing future search. Building a community of nurses in an integrated healthcare system

Many models and approaches are available to manage change and plan for the future. Large group intervention is one approach to tapping the collective wisdom of a nursing system facing formidable adaptive challenges. Large group interventions involve many people, and they include open sharing of information, group problem-solving, participation, and sharing of power to create a shared future. One model for creating a vision for the future is called "Future Search". In this article, we describe the methodology of Future Search as a model to plan for change. A case study illustrates the use of a Nursing Future Search by an integrated, not-for-profit healthcare organization in northern Virginia. Results and the outcomes of a 6-month follow-up conference reveal nine planning groups that are moving a community of nurses to action.