title: Differentiated nursing practice: assessing the state-of-the-science.
abstract: The authors present their findings following an exhaustive literature review of research on differentiated nursing practice (DNP) that used a number of tools to measure various aspects of DNP that are applicable across the health care delivery continuum. Issues related to DNP include: optimal nursing care, matching patient needs with nurse competencies, effective use of nursing resources, equitable compensation, career satisfaction, loyalty to employers, and enhanced prestige of the nursing profession. One 1992 Massachusetts study of a three-role oncology unit project (including patient care manager, clinical nurse, and patient care technician), showed positive change in five criteria including: standards of nursing care, actual care hours, average labor costs, job satisfaction and patient satisfaction. A 1990 Arizona study that included unit assistants concluded that DNP supported a decline in the use of supplemental staff and staff overtime which led to cost savings, and increases in the actual hours of care and nurse satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, USA.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Lamm
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: V B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Robbeloth
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ransom
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Conly
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: McCoy
mesh_terms: D017046:Cost Savings; D004507:Education, Nursing, Associate; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009718:Nurse Administrators / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009746:Nursing, Team / Q000458:organization & administration*