The implementation and impact of an advanced practice recognition program.

ABSTRACT: Meaningful job recognition is a pillar for sustaining healthy work environments and proven beneficial for job satisfaction and retention. However, few dedicated award recognition programs exist for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and no available literature evaluates the impact on professional practice, sense of belonging, and job retention or satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to introduce a novel award recognition program for APRNs and physician associates (PAs) in a large academic medical system and evaluate it's impact on job satisfaction, retention, and sense of belonging. Five awards were created to recognize areas of achievement for clinically practicing APRNs or PAs within an academic health system. Nomination letters were collected, deidentified, and reviewed by an award committee. Winners were announced and received a plaque. A survey was sent to employed APRNs evaluating their response to the program. The survey was sent to both APRNs (83%) and PAs (17%). Survey end points included job satisfaction, willingness to stay in role for 1 and 5 years, sense of community, something to work toward, and increasing recognition of APRNs. Results showed statistical significance in three areas. Advanced practice registered nurses or PAs who were aware of award opportunities and/or nominated for an award showed higher job satisfaction, more likely to stay in job for 1 year, and felt a greater level of recognition. Dedicated APRN award programs may have a positive impact on job satisfaction and retention. This model may be extrapolated to provide greater opportunities for meaningful recognition among clinical APRNs.

A Standardized Training Program in Ultrasound-Guided Intravenous Line Placement: Improving Nurses' Confidence and Success.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided imagery to obtain peripheral intravenous (USGIV) access is a technique that can be used to increase successful peripheral intravenous catheter insertion rates. Improving rates of USGIV use will subsequently decrease central venous catheter use and thus decrease the time to treatment initiation, reduce costs, and improve patient satisfaction. PURPOSE: Current available programs teach nurses USGIV use for the adult population, mainly with a focus on the emergency department. To address this gap in knowledge, a USGIV program aimed at the specific needs of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse was developed and implemented. METHOD: Twelve NICU nurses were trained in USGIV access during a 4-hour combination didactic and simulation-based program. Participants took a pretest survey assessing baseline knowledge and confidence levels related to USGIV access. After didactic lecture, participants worked at stations focused on USGIV access. An 80% benchmark for each participant was set for successful USGIV attempts during simulation. Participants' knowledge and confidence levels were reassessed at the end of the program. RESULTS: Posttest scores increased by an average of 25%, demonstrating increased knowledge. The pre- to posttest confidence scores increased by a minimum of 1.6 points (based on a 5-point Likert scale). All participants (n = 12) successfully demonstrated proficiency by achieving at least 80% of attempted USGIV access on a mannequin. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: This project demonstrated that USGIV catheter can be employed in neonatal patients by training NICU nurses in USGIV techniques.

Role of nursing in telehealth.

ABSTRACT: This article explores the types, features, and benefits of telehealth-including a sample telehealth program-and discusses the role of nurses in the efficient delivery and improvement of telehealth systems.

A Quality Improvement Project to Increase Frequency of Skin-to-Skin Contact for Extreme Low-Birth-Weight Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Benefits of skin-to-skin contact (SSC) are documented but often delayed in the extremely preterm population due to medical complexity and staff misconceptions about safety. This quality improvement initiative was designed to increase SSC utilization among infants born before 29 weeks' gestation regardless of respiratory support by addressing nursing barriers inhibiting SSC. A pre-/postsurvey evaluated comfort level performing and perceived barriers to SSC utilization. Implementation consisted of an updated unit-specific SSC protocol and tailored education specific to identified barriers. Evaluation included SSC rates and maternal human milk usage in the first 30 days of life. In total, 81 patients (22-28 weeks, 370-1410 g) were included. SSC rates ranged from 3.3% to 17.7% at baseline and increased to 33.2% to 39.1% postintervention. Maternal human milk utilization increased above target (≥75%) postintervention for days 7 and 14, but declined towards baseline on days 21 and 30. A statistically significant increase was observed in nursing comfort level when performing SSC for intubated infants as well as infants with a peripherally inserted central catheter or umbilical venous catheter. SSC rates increased with infants younger than 29 weeks requiring intubation and central line management, possibly as a result of greater nursing comfort surrounding with SSC.

Development and testing of an advanced practice clinical advancement program within an academic medical center.

BACKGROUND: Faculty advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs) employed by Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) have historically participated in rank promotion tracks for recognition of professional accomplishments in education, practice, and research. However, there has not been a clinical advancement program for nonfaculty practitioners. Satisfaction, engagement, and health surveys indicated VUMC APRNs and PAs were seeking opportunities for professional growth and development. Many health care organizations have incorporated clinical advancement programs as key recruitment and retention strategies. With a growing number of nonfaculty APRNs and PAs, VUMC began to explore the development, implementation, and evaluation of a clinical advancement program. PURPOSE: A VUMC Clinical Advancement Task Force was created to explore, develop, implement, and evaluate an advanced practice clinical advancement pilot. METHODS: Two teams were selected to participate in a 6-month pilot. Presurveys and postsurveys were conducted, and postpilot focus groups were held with participating practitioners. A 9-square tool was developed as a rubric for evaluating the practitioner's progress. Applications, leader assessments, and recommendations were housed in a secure database for a selected advancement committee to evaluate. RESULTS: Of 23 participants, 47% indicated satisfaction with professional development opportunities, when compared with 84% postpilot. Postpilot focus groups further improved the tool and the process for the program. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Opportunities for advancement/professional development positively influence APRN and PA perceptions of job satisfaction. This program could be tested with other APRN and PA teams for impact on job satisfaction, engagement, and retention.

Care Models Preventing Readmission.

OBJECTIVES: This article aims to identify the steps necessary to evaluate the clinical need for innovative coverage models within the oncology setting to help prevent hospital readmissions. DATA SOURCES: Multiple published studies suggest alternative methods for patient care delivery that are safe and cost effective. CONCLUSION: Improving care transitions for the oncology patient is necessary to be able to provide low-cost, high-quality, and patient-centered care. Many of the review studies in this article suggest that emergency room visits and subsequent readmission could be decreased with the use of innovative care models. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses are critical to the care of medically fragile patients. Nurse-led activities such as telephone triage, post discharge phone calls, or telehealth visits can reduce patient emergency department utilization and readmissions through early recognition of symptoms and oncologic emergencies by prompting timely referrals/consultations and quick interventions.

The Role of Advanced Practice Providers and Telemedicine in Reinventing Care: The Transition of a CAR T-Cell Transplantation Program to the Outpatient Setting.

As the health-care industry continues to be pushed to find new, innovative ways to deliver quality care with an emphasis on enhancing quality of life, the use of advanced practice providers and telemedicine technology are two promising developments at the forefront of this new era. Advanced practice providers have been shown to provide highly effective, quality patient care. They often deliver this care at a decreased cost to the patient and healthcare system. Telemedicine technology allows providers to access patients through new, patient-centered avenues, thus enhancing their healthcare experience. Advanced practice providers are well equipped to apply telemedicine technology to expand access to care and innovate new care delivery models. This article describes the design and implementation of a novel telemedicine care model within a malignant hematologic team.

Assessing and addressing practitioner burnout: Results from an advanced practice registered nurse health and well-being study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous nursing and physician studies have reported the effects of workload, environment, and life circumstances contributing to burnout. Effects may include job dissatisfaction, poor quality of life, and associated negative patient outcomes. Although assessing clinician burnout to determine effective interventions has become a topic of great importance, there are minimal studies specific to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). PURPOSE: This single-center study was conducted to assess the prevalence and impact of APRN burnout and to recommend targeted interventions toward improvement of overall health and well-being. METHODS: A cross-sectional, mixed methods design was used. The voluntary, anonymous survey examined perceptions of wellness, inclusion, social support, personal coping mechanisms, and status of burnout. RESULTS: The 78-question survey was sent to 1,014 APRNs (94%) and PAs (6%), with a 43.6% response rate (n = 433); 76.4% were nurse practitioners. Participants were identified as currently experiencing burnout, formerly burned out, or never having experienced burnout. Profiles were developed, and similarities and differences between each group were compared. Of 433 respondents, 40.4% (n = 175) reported having never experienced burnout, 33.3% (n = 144) reported they had formerly experienced burnout, and 26.3% (n = 114) reported they were currently experiencing burnout. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results of the study identified that some APRNs report experiencing burnout at different times in their careers. Recommendations by participants to mitigate burnout included self-care, organizational promotion of health and well-being, career development, and leadership support. This study is one of the first to report on burnout among APRNs and potential interventions to build resilience; however, additional research is warranted.