Creating an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Council Within a Regional Hospital Network

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Administration
• Nursing Leadership
• Interprofessional Collaboration

Background:

• Hospitals increasingly utilize advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in diverse roles.
• Establishing effective governance and support structures for APRNs is crucial for optimizing their contribution.
• Lack of standardized processes and interprofessional integration can hinder APRN effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and impact of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) council within a large hospital network.
• To identify and address challenges encountered during the council's formation and operation.
• To evaluate the positive outcomes and influence of the APRN council on organizational practices.

Main Methods:

• Formation of a dedicated APRN council with defined objectives.
• Implementation of strategies to standardize credentialing and onboarding.
• Facilitation of networking opportunities and educational initiatives for APRNs.
• Engagement with hospital leadership and interprofessional teams.

Main Results:

• Successful standardization of the APRN credentialing and onboarding process.
• Enhanced networking and professional development through an APRN-oriented education fair.
• Positive guidance of workplace culture and establishment of interprofessional relationships.
• Development of standardized procedures and provision of recommendations to leadership.

Conclusions:

• The establishment of an APRN council can overcome significant obstacles to achieve measurable positive outcomes.
• APRN councils are instrumental in standardizing processes, fostering collaboration, and enhancing the professional practice environment.
• Such councils effectively support APRN integration, professional growth, and contribute to organizational advancement.