| Learning Objective #1: Identify common themes in expert nurses’ descriptions of highly meaningful clinical experiences | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Celebrate the heroic efforts of nurses who are diverse in practice and demographic characteristics |
Background: Nurses who are diverse in practice and demographic characteristics were nominated by peers as clinical experts. They wrote narratives illustrating how they made a difference in the life of a patient or family. Over a period of ten years, approximately two hundred of these narratives were selected for presentation at the annual Florida Nurses Association (FNA) Clinical Excellence Conference: Nurses Who Made a Difference. Collaboration between FNA and other nursing organizations, including STTI leaders, has enriched this celebration of nursing.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify common themes in clinical excellence across practice settings and demographic characteristics, as described in the rich narratives written by expert nurses about how they made a difference.
Method: A retrospective qualitative analysis of these written narratives was completed. As the themes emerged, the narratives were read and reread for validation of the themes, examples of the primary and secondary themes, and key elements of these themes.
Findings: The practice situations described by the expert nurses included a wide range of clinical settings, nursing roles, and specialties. Three primary themes were identified: how the nurses got involved, what they did, and how they experienced making a difference. Secondary themes were discovered and further described the primary themes. Nurses got involved because they saw a special need, felt a connection, and perceived a challenge. Once involved, nurses intervened decisively and interacted meaningfully. They experienced making a difference by receiving recognition and were changed by the experience. This effect was often a personal affirmation and validation of nursing as a chosen profession.
Discussion: These narratives have been affirming for the nurses sharing them and inspirational and informative for all involved. This conference has become a celebration of the potential for heroism within nursing practice and its achievement by nurses who make a difference.
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