Create, Innovate, Disseminate: A Women's Health Service's Model for Generating a National Presence

Rationale: This innovative program evolved from a large Magnet hospital’s vision to empower bedside nurses to create and contribute to the organization’s national presence. Women’s Health Services leads the state in deliveries (6,800 in 2006), and recognizes the responsibility to create and share best clinical and staff development practices. Organizations demonstrate excellence, in part, by developing a professional practice environment and support systems for nursing professionals, and by conducting and disseminating research to share best practices. (ANA Scope & Standards, 2004)

Purposes: 1) To describe a model of developing a growing cadre of conference presenters using novice-to-expert and peer-to-peer mentoring. 2) To expand opportunities for professional development of our 300 professional Women’s Health Services nurses.

Program Creativity/Originality: Project and clinical issues teams are built with a mix of novice to expert team members.  Team members help design the process and outcomes.  Steps include mentoring for preconference preparation such as conference abstract/application writing and poster/handouts designing. An experienced presenter role models conference check-in, poster set-up, and presentation skills.  She engages participants, seeks feedback, and networks with colleagues.

Outcomes: Outcomes are a result of strategies that support two Forces of Magnetism “Nurses as Teachers” and “Professional Development”.  Department nurse leaders support career development and advancement through this creative and innovative program of conference presentation preparation.   NDNQI Nurse Satisfaction results for 2004-2006 reflect “High Satisfaction” with Professional Development.

Staff share conference highlights with their peers, providing an opportunity to change practice and generate interest in future conference presenters. Since 2006 over 70 staff nurses have been mentored to give poster and podium presentations.

An exemplar dissemination project is the Kangaroo Care in the Healthy Newborn Program.  Women’s Health staff nurses presented at the 6^th Biannual Workshop of the International Network of Kangaroo Mother Care.  Positive staff interaction and networking with worldwide experts occurred.

Timeliness: With emphasis on shared governance, Magnet designation, and NDNQI/measures of staff satisfaction, this initiative has become a benchmark of quality in our hospital.  McClure et al[1]  found that retention of nursing staff is more likely when nurses work in an environment that promotes professional nursing practice. Organizational support for ongoing professional development improves nursing quality of care, job satisfaction, and retention.

Relevance: A professional growth program that allows nurses to network with peers across the country and share best practices is a program that enhances the quality of care for patients. Organizations committed to excellence strive to provide ways to recognize/reward motivated nurses.

Implications: Nurses have a professional obligation to be actively involved in career planning. Women’s Health staff has varying educational backgrounds.  Leadership recognizes that professional growth can be academic or experiential.  Mentorship promotes experiential development. Staff can be recognized for their accomplishments and offered innovative professional growth opportunities like this model.  A growing pool of conference presenters increases an organization’s national recognition and improves patient care through the attraction/retention of satisfied clinical experts.

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[1]McClure, ML, et.al.  Magnet Hospitals:  Attraction and Retention of Professional Nurses.  Kansas City, MO:  American Academy of Nursing;  1983.

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