Development, implementation and evaluation of a Professional Practice Model: A scoping review

The aim of this study is to synthesize available literature describing the development, implementation and evaluation of a Professional Practice Model.

A Professional Practice Model is an overarching theory-based framework that depicts nursing values and defines the structure and process of nursing care. No research has synthesized available literature on this topic in recent times.

A review of English language papers was published from 2015 to 2022. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria.

All studies highlighted the importance of having a Professional Practice Model that reflects nursing care activities and resonates with nurses across an organization. This is achieved through strong leadership and clinical nurse involvement during the development, implementation and evaluation phases. In addition, a model should be adapted to keep up to date with scientific changes relevant to nursing.

This review adds to the body of knowledge on the development, implementation and evaluation of a Professional Practice Model. Future research exploring the benefit of a Professional Practice Model on patient outcomes would be useful.

The key elements of a Professional Practice Model including six components and theoretical foundation have been summarized in this review. Nurse leaders should consider these key elements in the creation of a Professional Practice Model. For successful enculturation, a Professional Practice Model needs to be relevant to all nurses and easy for them to articulate.