title: The impact of a family systems nursing approach: nurses' perceptions.
abstract: Relationships between nurses and families form the foundation of effective nursing practice. This article describes a study of medical-surgical nurses' perceptions of the impact of a Family Systems Nursing Continuing Education Project (FSNP). Four major themes emerged from the study: 1) reduction in family crises during acute hospitalizations; 2) increased efficiency and productivity of discharge planning; 3) increased family involvement in multidisciplinary conferences with nurse-family interactions described as collaborative; and 4) improvement in nursing competence and confidence while caring for families. Implications for clinical practice, continuing education, and research are presented.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leahey
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harper-Jaques
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stout
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Levac
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D013527:Perioperative Nursing / Q000193:education; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013598:Systems Theory