title: Recommendations From the International Consortium on Professional Nursing Practice in Long-Term Care Homes.
abstract: In response to the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics' global agenda for clinical research and quality of care in long-term care homes (LTCHs), the International Consortium on Professional Nursing Practice in Long Term Care Homes (the Consortium) was formed to develop nursing leadership capacity and address the concerns regarding the current state of professional nursing practice in LTCHs. At its invitational, 2-day inaugural meeting, the Consortium brought together international nurse experts to explore the potential of registered nurses (RNs) who work as supervisors or charge nurses within the LTCHs and the value of their contribution in nursing homes, consider what RN competencies might be needed, discuss effective educational (curriculum and practice) experiences, health care policy, and human resources planning requirements, and to identify what sustainable nurse leadership strategies and models might enhance the effectiveness of RNs in improving resident, family, and staff outcomes. The Consortium made recommendations about the following priority issues for action: (1) define the competencies of RNs required to care for older adults in LTCHs; (2) create an LTCH environment in which the RN role is differentiated from other team members and RNs can practice to their full scope; and (3) prepare RN leaders to operate effectively in person-centered care LTCH environments. In addition to clear recommendations for practice, the Consortium identified several areas in which further research is needed. The Consortium advocated for a research agenda that emphasizes an international coordination of research efforts to explore similar issues, the pursuit of examining the impact of nursing and organizational models, and the showcasing of excellence in nursing practice in care homes, so that others might learn from what works. Several studies already under way are also described.
authors.affiliation: Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-UHN, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lawrence S. Bloomberg of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: kathy.mcgilton@uhn.ca.
authors.forename: Katherine S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: McGilton
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin - Madison, WI. Electronic address: bjbowers@wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Bowers
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, City University London, London, England, UK.
authors.forename: Hazel
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.affiliation: Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shannon
authors.affiliation: Nursing Service, VA San Diego Health Care System, San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Dellefield
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prentice
authors.affiliation: Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA.
authors.forename: Elena O
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Siegel
authors.affiliation: Division of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, City University London, London, England, UK.
authors.forename: Julienne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Charlene H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Life Sciences and Community Services, Conestoga College, Kitchener, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ploeg
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Life Sciences and Community Services, Conestoga College, Kitchener, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Veronique M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Boscart
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Duke University Centre for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Durham, NC.
authors.forename: Kirsten N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Corazzini
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, NC.
authors.forename: Ruth A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Mueller
mesh_terms: D032921:Consensus; D005853:Geriatrics; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D007391:International Cooperation; D007857:Leadership; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009736:Nursing Process / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Professional role of the nurse in long-term care homes; nursing Leadership Capacity in long-term care homes; registered nurses in long-term care homes