Trialing collaborative nursing Models of Care: the impact of change.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the project was to develop and trial a nursing Model of Care (MoC) and devise a framework to investigate the impact of nursing staff mix on patient outcomes and job satisfaction (nurses).


METHODS
In 2001-2002 a pilot project was undertaken to explore issues related to the delivery of patient care by nurses on two medical inpatient wards, one acute and one subacute, at a referral teaching hospital in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The framework employed was an adaptation of, and based on, the Clinical Practice Improvement (CPI) model developed by NSW Health.


BACKGROUND
Countries across the world are seeking solutions to a shortage of registered nurses and their ability to sustain quality care services. It becomes imperative that organisations develop strategies to attract and retain nurses in the health care system.


CONCLUSIONS
Results of the project highlighted areas related to the quality of care delivery: clinical supervision; continuity of staffing; trust; employer of choice; more effective nurse to patient ratios; educational preparation; and recognition of prior experience.
Fowler
Joanna
J
St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Hardy
Jennifer
J
Howarth
Teresa
T
D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009517:New South Wales; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009746:Nursing, Team / Q000379:methods*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration; D016526:Workload