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This manuscript describes a scholarly approach to peer case review that identifies and analyzes quality-of-care issues in response to a question about nursing care of a specific patient. The comprehensive method provides a structured format that critically examines untoward patient events, generates an awareness of gaps in care from a systems perspective, ensures action planning focused on legitimate root causes, stimulates performance improvement initiatives, and provides a forum to share learning throughout the organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnet designation is the highest level of recognition that a healthcare organization can achieve to specifically recognize nursing excellence. The Magnet Recognition Program is an important vehicle for shaping the changes that are essential to the continued development of the nursing profession and to quality outcomes for patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 25 years ago, the name "Friends of Nursing" was adopted by an academic, community Magnet(®) hospital to signify a model for community support of nursing. From inception, the intent was to recruit philanthropic dollars to promote recognition of and excellence in nursing practice, education, and research. Although philanthropy in health care settings is common, what is unique about this program is the long-standing, dedicated conceptual framework for nursing philanthropy and the very significant number of philanthropic dollars from literally thousands of donors to support a diverse range of activities to affect and advance the professional excellence of nurses and the quality of patient care. This model has been successfully replicated within a wide variety of other health care organizations and nursing services throughout the United States and abroad., (Copyright 2012, SLACK Incorporated.)

This article proposes that professional development be a core principle within an organization to equip staff members with the resources to adapt to change. Multiple examples of professional development activities are identified. Four absolutes to create an environment to support professional development are discussed. A successful professional development model at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA, is detailed, including examples of funding sources. Finally, the investigators furnish examples of how an environment rich in professional development activities fosters staff members' abilities to cope with change.

One-hundred medical/surgical nurses from two hospitals participated in a study designed to determine which defining characteristics professional nurses working in acute-care settings associated with each of the three respiratory nursing diagnoses identified by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA). All NANDA defining characteristics for impaired gas exchange and ineffective airway clearance were selected by at least 63% and 67% of the study participants, respectively. Thirteen of the 15 NANDA defining characteristics for ineffective breathing pattern were selected by at least 68% of the study participants. Two characteristics of ineffective breathing pattern identified by NANDA, cough and fremitus, were selected by only 47% and 45% of respondents. This study was the first in a series of studies intended to validate the respiratory nursing diagnoses.

When considering factors that affect nurse recruitment and retention, an appropriate response to the nursing shortage may be to either implement a preceptor model or refine an existing preceptor program. This article describes the evolution of a comprehensive preceptor model including the following: strategies to gain staff, administrative, and educational support and involvement; a preceptorship policy and procedure; a formal program to prepare preceptors; the need for identified orientation, learning expectations, and documentation of the same; evaluation methods of a preceptor model; and rewards for the preceptor. The viability and strength of this preceptor program may be attributed to the inclusion of all levels of nursing staff in its development and implementation.