The Future of Nursing
Written by LeAnn Thieman, CSP, November 14th, 2010In 2008, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM) launched a two-year initiative to assess and transform the nursing profession, to create a blueprint for the future of nursing.
Through its deliberations, the committee developed four key messages:
Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and [...]
How Can Nurses Give Better Care?
Written by LeAnn Thieman, CSP, November 9th, 2010Every nurse wants to provide optimal patient care. Yet, on average, nurses spend just 30% of their time doing so.
Pat Rutherford, MS, RN, Vice President at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement has several suggestions.
One strategy that makes a great difference is decreasing redundant documentation.
Another is moving supplies and equipment closer to where nurses are using [...]
Do We Need Better Nursing Rations to Give Better Patient Care?
Written by LeAnn Thieman, CSP, November 5th, 2010Some regions of the country are trying to mandate nursing ratios to ensure adequate patient care. While those favoring mandated ratios are well-intended, Pat Rutherford, MS, RN, vice president, Institute for Healthcare Improvement (www.ihi.org)
thinks the strategy and methodology are flawed.
She contends that we need to optimize the working conditions for the nursing resources we currently [...]
Nurses Spend Only 30% of Their Time Caring for Patients
Written by LeAnn Thieman, CSP, November 2nd, 2010Here’s a great idea! Let’s let nurses spend more time caring for patients!
Transforming Care at the Bedside (TCAB) is a joint effort by the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation and Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI.) The key goal of the initiative is to increase the amount of time nurses spend with patients. (www.ihi.org.) The American [...]
To Retain Nurses, Improve Communication
Written by LeAnn Thieman, CSP, October 28th, 2010One of the main reasons people quit their jobs is attributed to lack of communication.
Certainly CEOs, CNOs and hospital boards could do a better job of that, but so could all team members. Here are a few tips for more effective communication:
–Acknowledge one another with eye contact and welcoming words
–Use a tone of voice that [...]
