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CVMC’s Professional Nursing Model was created by Eddie Beard, CNO in 1990 to facilitate excellence in patient outcomes while ensuring consistency within nursing practice throughout CVMC’s practice settings. Such models help nurses assess, plan, and implement patient care by providing a framework within which to work. Models are constructed of theories and concepts and help to establish authority, accountability, and responsibility for Nursing’s provision of patient care.

Professional Nursing Models should be living and breathing entities that evolve based on current literature and advances in nursing professional practice. In 2007 the nursing leadership undertook a major revamping of the nursing model. The restructured model reflects three major categories: the science of nursing, the art of nursing, and the patient perspective.

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The science of nursing is reliant on evidence serving as the foundation of professional nursing practice. Performance improvement data, practice standards, and research are core values. Nurses are expected to collaborate with other experts and maintain collegial relationships as they integrate the science of other disciplines. Professional nursing practice is  grounded in the the art of nursing, described as taking a holistic, client-centered focus; being caring and ethical in interactions with patients, families and colleagues; having above-average interpersonal skills; and making sound judgments based on experience and knowledge (1). The patient perspective is reflective in CVMCs delivery of nursing care that is holistic and sensitive to cultural values, experiences, and diversity incorporating each patient or person’s perspective.

Rolling out the model to nursing leadership and nursing staff was undertaken based on Everett M. Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation Model. Nursing leadership was first introduced to the model by the CNO and nursing administrators in a skit created to demonstrate the principles of the model in a humorous yet realistic manner. Once this first step was completed those that had been introduced to the model were asked to participate in a roll-out team to create a way to roll the model out to direct care staff.

The Roll-out team was creating their concept during the last phase of the 2008 presidential elections. With the many presidential debates that were being televised in this period Anita Herman, RN from the Emergency Department had the idea that a debate format may be the perfect way to introduce the three categories of the model. The concept was that representatives of the three categories would defend the position that theirs was the most important aspect of the model. As the debate would ensue, the moderator and the representatives would lead the audience to the fact that all three categories are needed to achieve optimal outcomes.

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Each representative of the model advertised their position and asked staff to attend and vote for them during the debates. As nursing staff arrived for the debate, they were offered placards that they could raise in support of their candidate. The process was extremely well performed. While the audience was entertained with the humor of the proceedings they also were treated to what the different aspects of the model represented and how the concepts could be integrated into nursing practice.

To provide a ready reference of the model, a handbook was designed to provide the details of the model, the definitions of all the terms included in each category, and the theories used to support the concepts. Along with the handbook, a pin was created for nurses to wear on their badge holder as a constant reminder to staff and to our patients of the framework for nursing care at Catawba Valley Medical Center.

Operationalizing the model is being accomplished by using the science of nursing, the art of nursing, and the patient perspective in the organization of all nursing job descriptions, peer review tools, the professional enrichment program (PEP), the STAR program for preceptors, as well as our nursing annual report. Efforts are ongoing to find ways to bring the concepts of the model into direct patient care practices.

Girard, F., Linton, N., Besner, J. (2005). Professional practice in nursing: A framework. Retrieved from     http://www.longwoods.com/website/NL/onlineExclusive/NL0605Girard.pdf