Applying the Patient Empowerment, Engagement, and Activation Survey to Improve Patient Outcomes.

This article focuses on applying the patient empowerment, engagement, and activation (PEEA) model as an implementation strategy to achieve patient- or person-centered care. There is substantial evidence linking PEEA to improved patient care outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. Interrelationships among the 3 concepts are discussed and how the PEEA survey can be used to evaluate patients' activation for self-care postdischarge and their perceptions of nurses' empowering and engaging them during the care encounter.

A 1-Year Accredited Nurse Residency Program's Effect on Intent to Leave.

Objective: This article describes the evaluation of a system-wide program to enhance new graduate nurse resident (NGNR) experience, enculturation, and commitment to the organization.

Background: Structured nurse residency programs support NGNR transition to the work environment and increase retention and organizational commitment.

Methods: The study used a descriptive, comparative design measuring NGNR perceptions of affective commitment, job satisfaction, job stress, and other variables over 3 times from baseline to 24 months.

An Exploratory, Descriptive Study of Nurse Leaders' Personal and Work Experiences During Union Negotiations and Strike Events.

Objective: This study explored the experiences, perceptions and emotional state of nurse leaders during union activities to understand the impact on their personal and professional lives.

Background: Other than anecdotal stories shared during union negotiations and strike preparations, very little evidence exists in nursing and healthcare literature about nursing unions and their impact on nurse leaders and their organizational priorities.

Methods: This study used an exploratory, descriptive design with a convenience and snowball sample of Association of California Nurse Leaders members.

Safety and Security Concerns of Nurses Working in the Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study.

Intensive care units (ICUs) exist to serve as a safe place for critically ill patients to receive care from skilled practitioners. In this qualitative study, ICU nurses shared their perspectives on elements that promote safety and security on their units. After obtaining institutional review board approval, participants participated in telephone interviews with a nurse researcher who has experience as a bedside ICU nurse.

Six-Month Follow-up of a Regional Evidence-based Practice Fellowship Program.

Objective: This study examined a 6-month follow-up of a regional evidence-based practice (EBP) fellowship program and the predictors of EBP adoption at hospital units.

Background: The immediate beneficial effects of a regional EBP program are known, but the medium-term effects are not certain.

Methods: A matched pretest/posttest study was conducted using a mailed questionnaire 6 months after the completion of a 9-month regional EBP fellowship program among 3 annual cohorts of participants.

Defining Peer-to-Peer Accountability From the Nurse's Perspective.

Objective: The aim of this study was to define and create a conceptual model for peer-to-peer accountability (P to PA).

Background: Many organizations cite the importance of peer accountability (PA) as essential in ensuring patient safety. Professionalism in nursing requires self-regulation of practice and PA.

Applying Lean Six Sigma for innovative change to the post-anesthesia care unit.

Many healthcare organizations are building or renovating patient care facilities. Using Lean Six Sigma methods, nurse leaders can eliminate unnecessary waste and improve work and patient care environments. Starting with a key department like the post-anesthesia care unit is a good way to expose staff and leaders to the potential of Lean.

Teaching future nurses in the clinical setting: the clinical nurses' perspective.

This article shares the findings of a qualitative study exploring clinical nurses' perceptions of teaching nursing students as a preceptor. The results will inform program design and nurse executives in supporting these relationships.

Patient-centered care and engagement: nurse leaders' imperative for health reform.

Although there is agreement about the importance of patient-centered care (PCC) to ensure optimal outcomes for patients, there is a lack of focused instruments to measure PCC. The aims of this article were to synthesize literature related to the concepts PCC and to provide concrete attributes, definitions, and a conceptual model for the concept of PCC.

Facility design and healthcare-acquired infections: state of the science.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a serious threat to patients and healthcare providers. Although human factors are commonly studied in an attempt to reduce HAIs, less is known about the effect of specific facility design features on mitigating the transmission of pathogens from human to human. This facility design department aims to expand nurse leaders' knowledge and competencies in health facility design.

Evidence-based architectural and space design supports Magnet® empirical outcomes.

This department expands nursing leaders' knowledge and competencies in health facility design. The editor of this department, Dr Jaynelle Stichler, asked guest authors, Drs Ecoff and Brown, to describe the process of using the conceptual models of a nursing evidence-based practice model and the Magnet Recognition Program® as a structured process to lead decision making in the planning and design processes and to achieve desired outcomes in hospital design.

Predictors of knowledge, attitudes, use and future use of evidence-based practice among baccalaureate nursing students at two universities.

Nursing students are strategically positioned to influence adoption of evidence-based practice within the nursing profession. The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of knowledge, attitudes, use and future use of evidence-based practice among baccalaureate nursing students at two universities. A cross-sectional survey design was used to study a convenience sample of 436 nursing students (response rate of 63.