Clinical Nurse Specialists Guide Staff Nurses to Promote Practice Accountability Through Peer Review.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to describe the clinical nurse specialist role in developing and implementing a staff nurse education program to promote practice accountability using peer review principles.

Background: Peer review is essential for professional nursing practice demanding a significant culture change. Clinical nurse specialists in a Magnet-designated community hospital were charged with developing a staff nurse peer review education program.

Rationale: Peer review is a recognized mechanism of professional self-regulation to ensure delivery of quality care. The American Nurses Association strongly urges incorporating peer review in professional nursing practice models. Clinical nurse specialists play a critical role in educating staff nurses about practice accountability.

Description: Clinical nurse specialists developed an education program guided by the American Nurses Association's principles of peer review. A baseline needs assessment identified potential barriers and learning needs. Content incorporated tools and strategies to build communication skills, collaboration, practice change, and peer accountability.

Outcome: The education program resulted in increased staff nurse knowledge about peer review and application of peer review principles in practice.

Conclusion: Clinical nurse specialists played a critical role in helping staff nurses understand peer review and its application to practice.

Implications: The clinical nurse specialist role will continue to be important in sustaining the application of peer review principles in practice.