As I recently edited articles for the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development (JNPD) and chapters of the Association for Nursing Professional Development's (ANPD) future edition of Nursing Professional Development: Core Curriculum, I was reminded of the power of publishing. Nursing professional development (NPD) exemplifies lifelong learning, evidence-based practice, and practice-based evidence. As NPD practitioners, we have the opportunity and obligation to contribute to NPD evidence and to publish those findings.
Dr. Susan Bindon and I recently received an e-mail from Rebekah Miller, a graduate student at Florida Atlantic University. Ms. Miller shared her thoughts regarding the article "Multilevel Influences on New Graduate Transition," by Drs. Dwyer and Revell, in the May/June issue of the JNPD. Ms. Miller shared some of her personal experiences as a new nurse and the impact of effective transition programs on quality patient care and nursing retention. She stated, "I have identified with and personally experienced almost every single factor you listed as influential to new nurses, both positive and negative[horizontal ellipsis]I believe your recommendations will directly correlate with not only decreasing turnover, but strengthening and empowering nurses to build a unit based on inclusion, teamwork, and respect." 2016 The impact of sharing best practices and innovation has a far-reaching effect on nursing staff and patient outcomes. Implementing evidence our colleagues publish in JNPD enhances effectiveness and efficiency of nursing practice. As in this example, implementing strategies shared in "Multilevel Influences on New Graduate Transition" can help to enhance retention in your organization.
NPD practitioners continue to demonstrate the value we bring to our organizations. As you read this issue of JNPD, I encourage you to synthesize and share the findings of the "Nursing Professional Development Organizational Value Demonstration Project." (Harper, Aucoin, & Warren, 2016) The specific aim of this research was to explore correlations among professional development structures and acute care hospital organizational, nursing, and patient outcomes variables. Given the complexity of the current healthcare environment and the Institute of Medicine's (2011) future of nursing goals for 2020, identifying the impact of the role of NPD practitioners on organizational outcomes is critical.
As Ms. Miller states, "If facilities would invest in nursing professional development specialists as Dr. Dwyer and Dr. Revell suggest, they would see a turnaround in job satisfaction and retention rate." 2016 Publishing disseminates best practice and has an impact on patient outcomes. What a privilege for me to edit the work of and partner with our colleagues. What an honor for all NPD practitioners to publish-to enhance the impact of our specialty practice.
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