Nursing in health networks: direction and development

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Leadership
• Integrated Healthcare Delivery

Background:

• The evolving landscape of healthcare delivery necessitates strategic planning by nursing leaders.
• Integrated delivery systems require a clear understanding of nursing's role and contributions.
• Organizations like the New York Organization of Nurse Executives and the American Organization of Nurse Executives are pivotal in addressing these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key issues for nursing leaders in developing integrated delivery systems.
• To explore strategies for articulating nursing's value in healthcare.
• To develop action plans for operationalizing nursing and standardizing measurements within integrated networks.

Main Methods:

• An Open Space meeting convened by nursing executive organizations.
• Collaborative discussion among participants to identify and analyze critical issues.
• Development of action plans focused on specific, actionable goals.

Main Results:

• Key issues identified include the role of the Registered Nurse (RN) and quantifying nursing's contribution to patient care quality and outcomes.
• Two primary goals were established: operationalizing nursing across diverse settings and within multidisciplinary teams, and standardizing measurement practices in integrated networks.

Conclusions:

• Nursing leaders must proactively define and articulate the RN's value within integrated delivery systems.
• Standardized measurement and operational strategies are crucial for optimizing nursing's impact on patient care quality and outcomes.
• Effective collaboration and strategic planning are essential for successful nursing integration in modern healthcare.