The Relationship of Professional Practice Education with Patient Care Satisfaction and Nurse Satisfaction

At New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, the Relationship Based Care Model (RBC) is supported through a shared governance structure and a professional practice model of Primary Nursing since 2005.  Improvements in patient care quality and satisfaction, nurse satisfaction and turnover have been positively correlated to this delivery model and governance structure.

A critical strategy to role clarity and competency within the nursing profession is understanding the registered nurses professional role and practice.  With this intent in mind, a professional practice curriculum has been developed that describes the current governance structure and care delivery model, as well as, information regarding the scope, meaning and characteristics of nurse professionals and related external organizations that best define nursing practice. 

The aims of this study were to a) provide interactive and didactic information that inform staff nurses of the broad activities that impact professional practice and defines their individual role b) assess the difference this intervention would have on nursing behaviors, patients satisfaction with nursing care and nurse satisfaction within this institution.

The study was conducted with Registered Nurses on 8 Medical Surgical patient care units within an academic medical center.  The methods utilized were the use of the ANCC Magnet Values Survey to measure role clarity and autonomy and assess the professional practice environment, Press Ganey patient satisfaction results and the Healthcare Environment Survey to measure staff satisfaction.  Baseline measurements and post intervention results were evaluated at 6 months.

Early results demonstrate improvements in role clarity, patient and nurse satisfaction.  A comprehensive understanding of the relationship of nurses practicing in a Relationship Based Care Model who are clear regarding the principles and their role in professional practice offer positive results in improving patient and staff satisfaction and patient care quality.