Implementing a health system-wide evidence-based practice educational program to reach nurses with various levels of experience and educational preparation.

This article describes a system-wide evidence-based practice (EBP) educational initiative implemented with a geographically, educationally, and clinically diverse group of nurses with the intent of increasing their EBP skill set and efficacy as local change agents and leaders. The overall scope of the larger National Quality Forum Scholar Program is described, and then the focus is narrowed to describe the EBP components of the initiative with case examples and lessons learned.

The trifecta: harnessing the power of philanthropy, joint appointments, and practice to ease the faculty shortage: academia, practice, and philanthropy.

Partnerships between clinical facilities and academia are critical in supporting undergraduate and graduate nursing education. The authors discuss a unique model that blends academia, clinical practice, and philanthropy and uses grateful patient benefactors to assist in providing clinical instructor support for affiliated nursing schools. The authors review the process of proposal development, solicitation of benefactors, and results of the model.

Creating a culturally competent organization: use of the diversity competency model.

Recruiting and retaining an adequate nursing workforce is a priority as well as a challenge, and creating an environment that respects every individual's unique differences is key. The authors describe a method for gauging organizational readiness to respond to this challenge. The Diversity Competency Model is used to conduct an in-depth assessment of one nursing organization's diversity initiatives. Leadership commitment, structural linkages, organizational culture, and continuous measurement constitute the Diversity Competency Model assessment. The authors discuss the model and its use.