You may have heard some different language from one of CMCs nurse leaders recently—Role Based Practice—and may be wondering what this is all about.

We have embarked on a journey to transform our nursing practice at Community Medical Centers through implementation of role based practice. Presently, one hundred & fifty of our nurse leaders, directors, managers, supervisors and educators have participated in learning sessions and another fifty will complete their learning experience on October 31.  Many have already started to adopt role based concepts in their work areas, which may the reason why you are now hearing the use of different terms.  At present, this collective group of nurse leaders is working diligently on various implementation planning activities to prepare the organization for the transformation of practice. 

Why have we begun this journey? 

Over a number of years, the approach to care delivery has become task-focused—this impedes our ability to realize the quality outcomes we strive to achieve. Community’s CNO group has committed to changing this trend by transforming our practice culture to one that produces professional role-based nursing practice. To achieve this, we have brought Maria O'Rourke RN, DNSc FAAN to CMC to work with us.  Under Dr. O'Rourke's guidance we are adopting her Professional Role Development and Socialization Program™.  This program includes her Model of the Professional Role that views the RN role a pivotal decision maker on the interdisciplinary team.  Through this reestablishment and reconfirmation of the professional standard of practice, we will enable our nursing staff to take an active leadership role in the development of our organization into the World Class Organization as envisioned in our five year strategic plan. 

Organizations who have worked with Dr. O'Rourke have experienced a revitalization of their nursing staff, recapturing their passion for nursing.  Along with our facility CNO's, I look forward to leading CMC's nursing staff to these same outcomes!